As AI technology advances, the boundaries of our social interactions and companionship are evolving. Dazed Studio and Modem collaborated with digital world builders Pitch Studios to explore companionship for the next generation.

New Companions envisions coming of age in the era of machine intelligence through a series of speculative hardware designs for new forms of connection.

Download the full Research Study here.

Young people around the world are in the midst of a loneliness crisis, craving genuine connection. Meanwhile, AI is rapidly changing the meaning of companionship – people are having sexual relationships with machines and relying on them for psychological support, a cultural shift that will only gain momentum.

In the summer of 2024, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that ChatGPT-4o technology will be integrated into new versions of Siri, meaning that artificially intelligent, conversational machines will live in our pockets and hands, with us at all times of the day. This is likely to form the basis for a future in which a new AI-enhanced wearables market emerges, devices that cater to people’s specific needs and help them navigate a constantly altering, technology-dominated landscape.

“Children are now talking to AI vocally (through AI-enhanced soft toys) and can have full conversations with it.”

Nick Sarafa - CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER, Modern MantrA

“It’s now all about the whole notion of the social self. It’s not important who you are internally or as an individual, it’s about your social self, outside of the body.” 

Ari Versluis - Photographer and co-founder, exactitudes

OUR METHODOLOGY COMBINES EXPERT MINDS ALONGSIDE OUR EARLY ADOPTER AUDIENCES WHO ARE INFLUENCING THE TRENDS OF TODAY AND TOMORROW.

6 expert interviews

1 focus group with Dazed Gen Z and Gen Alpha club members 

Insights from Dazed Studio and Modem desk research 

Interested in hearing more about our studies?

Get in touch hello@dazed.studio