Individuals are turning to increasingly anthropomorphic, general-purpose chatbots for AI companionship, rather than roleplay-specific platforms. However, not much is known about how individuals perceive and conduct their relationships with general-purpose chatbots. We analyzed semi-structured interviews (n=13), survey responses (n=43), and community discussions on Reddit (41k+ posts and comments) to triangulate the internal dynamics, external influences, and steering strategies that shape AI companion relationships. We learned that individuals conceptualize their companions based on an interplay of their beliefs about the companion's own agency and the autonomy permitted by the platform, how they pursue interactions with the companion, and the perceived initiatives that the companion takes. In combination with the external entities that affect relationship dynamics, particularly model updates that can derail companion behaviour and stability, individuals make use of different types of steering strategies to preserve their relationship, for example, by setting behavioural instructions or porting to other AI platforms. We discuss implications for accountability and transparency in AI systems, where emotional connection competes with broader product objectives and safety constraints.

翻译：人们正转向日益拟人化的通用聊天机器人寻求AI伴侣，而非专门的角色扮演平台。然而，人们对个体如何认知及处理与通用聊天机器人关系的了解尚不充分。本研究通过分析半结构化访谈（n=13）、问卷调查（n=43）及Reddit社区讨论（41,000余条帖文与评论），从内部动态、外部影响和调控策略三个维度对AI伴侣关系的形成机制进行了三角验证。研究发现，个体对其伴侣的认知建构基于以下因素的相互作用：对伴侣自身能动性的信念与平台所允许的自主权之间的张力、个体主动寻求互动的方式，以及感知到的伴侣所采取的主动性行为。在外部实体（尤其是可能破坏伴侣行为稳定性的模型更新）影响关系动态的同时，个体会运用不同类型的调控策略来维系关系，例如设定行为指令或迁移至其他AI平台。本文进一步讨论了AI系统问责制与透明度的相关议题，指出情感联结与更广泛的产品目标及安全约束之间存在的张力。