Tag: Research

Tech News : Boys Forming Romantic Bonds With AI

Posted on by Paul Stradling

A major UK study has found that some teenage boys are developing romantic and emotionally intimate relationships with AI chatbots, prompting growing concern among researchers, parents and regulators about how these increasingly human-like systems may be shaping young people’s understanding of relationships.

Why Is This Happening?

Artificial intelligence has become remarkably good at conversation. Modern AI companions are designed not simply to answer questions, but to remember previous conversations, display empathy, offer reassurance and build ongoing relationships with users.

While many people use tools such as ChatGPT for work or study, it seems a growing number of teenagers are instead using AI as companions. For example, dedicated services such as Character.AI, Replika and Chai actively encourage extended conversations with virtual personalities, while general-purpose AI systems are increasingly being used in similar ways.

The concern is that these systems are available 24 hours a day, never become impatient, rarely disagree strongly with users and are designed to keep conversations flowing, creating an experience that can sometimes feel more emotionally rewarding than interacting with real people.

AI Relationships Are Becoming More Common

Recent research from Bangor University perhaps offers one of the clearest pictures yet of how widespread AI companionship has become among UK teenagers. Surveying 1,009 AI companion users aged between 13 and 18, the researchers found that almost a third interacted with AI companions on most days, while more than half had confided something important or serious to an AI companion at least once.

Perhaps more strikingly, 56 per cent believed AI companions could “think” or understand them, although 77 per cent did not believe they could genuinely feel emotions. Among younger teenagers, however, 21 per cent believed AI companions could actually feel, suggesting many younger users may struggle to distinguish between simulated empathy and genuine emotional understanding.

The report also found that advice was the biggest reason teenagers used AI companions, followed by entertainment, curiosity and the fact that they were always available. Romance or sexual conversations remained a relatively small motivation, with 6 per cent of younger teenagers and 4 per cent of older teenagers identifying this as a reason for using them.

Why Boys Appear Particularly Vulnerable

Although AI companions are used by both sexes, researchers and psychologists are increasingly expressing concern that adolescent boys may be especially susceptible to developing emotionally dependent relationships with them.

For many teenage boys, AI companions provide something that can sometimes feel difficult to find elsewhere. For example, they offer constant attention, unlimited patience, encouragement without judgement and conversations that adapt to whatever the user wants to discuss. Also, unlike real relationships, there is no fear of rejection, embarrassment or misunderstanding.

Customised Personalities

Many AI companion services also allow users to customise personalities, appearance and behaviour, creating digital companions that appear perfectly matched to individual preferences. Unlike real people, these companions rarely disagree, reject or challenge users, which can reinforce unrealistic expectations about how human relationships work.

Part of the reason these interactions can feel so convincing is that many teenagers attribute human qualities to AI companions. As Professor Andrew McStay, Director of Bangor University’s Emotional AI Lab, said: “Though most teenagers do not believe AI companions can feel, a majority do believe they can think or understand. This distinction matters.” He added that teenagers are “attributing mind-like properties” to AI companions, helping explain why they trust their advice, disclose personal information and sometimes find conversations with them more satisfying than those with friends.

Growing Regulatory And Industry Concerns

It seems that these concerns are no longer simply confined to academic debate. For example, several high-profile legal cases in the United States have focused attention on AI companions after allegations that emotionally vulnerable teenagers formed unhealthy attachments to chatbots. Character.AI has since introduced additional safeguards for younger users and withdrew its services for under-18s in late 2025 following mounting regulatory pressure and legal action, according to the Bangor report.

Regulators are also beginning to take notice. For example, the report highlights growing interest from Ofcom, the US Federal Trade Commission, several US states and the European Union in developing rules specifically covering AI companion services, recognising that they present different challenges from traditional search engines or productivity chatbots.

Importantly, however, the researchers have warned against exaggerating the problem. It should be noted here that two-thirds of teenagers surveyed said AI companions were not affecting their human friendships at all, while around a quarter believed they actually helped them develop more human friendships by improving confidence and social skills. Only 7 per cent felt AI companions were replacing some of their real-world friendships.

What Does This Mean For Your Business?

Although this story focuses largely on teenagers, it highlights a much broader trend that businesses should not ignore. AI is rapidly evolving beyond being simply a productivity tool into technology capable of forming persuasive, emotionally engaging relationships with users.

That creates opportunities in areas such as customer service, coaching, healthcare and education, but it also raises important questions about trust, transparency and ethics whenever AI begins simulating empathy or emotional understanding.

For employers, parents and technology providers, the challenge is likely to be finding the right balance between allowing people to benefit from increasingly capable conversational AI while ensuring users understand that, however convincing these interactions become, they remain carefully designed simulations rather than genuine human relationships. As AI companions become more sophisticated, understanding that distinction may prove just as important as understanding the technology itself.

Video Update : Another Massive Upgrade To CoPilot – Already !

Posted on by Paul Stradling

CoPilot’s brand-new “Researcher Agent” is a pretty major upgrade, so this week’s Video-of-the-Week takes it to task and has a look at what it can do for your business.

[Note – To Watch This Video without glitches/interruptions, It may be best to download it first]

Sustainability-In-Tech : IT Channel Increasingly Shifting to Carbon Reduction

Posted on by Paul Stradling

New research indicates that sustainability is now a defining issue in the IT channel, with businesses increasingly focusing on reducing carbon emissions rather than relying on offsetting.

Sustainability Rises Back Up the Agenda

The new research from Agilitas IT Solutions, conducted in partnership with Censuswide, highlights a renewed commitment to sustainability, as companies seek to align environmental responsibility with operational efficiency and cost savings. The “Channel Trends: Sustainability: An Urgent Imperative” 2025 report appears to show the growing prioritisation of sustainability among UK-based channel businesses with annual revenues exceeding £5 million. The study highlighted in the report, which surveyed 250 key industry figures, found that three-quarters of respondents rated sustainability at least 7 out of 10 in importance. Notably, 39 per cent of businesses saw sustainability as a key focus area, scoring 9 or 10 out of a maximum 10.

Rebound But Disparity

While this remains below the peak score of 7.8 recorded in 2021, it seems to represent a welcome rebound from the decline seen in 2022 and 2023. Despite this, the survey also exposed a striking disparity in sustainability engagement across different levels of seniority. For example, just 8 per cent of junior managers consider it a top priority, in contrast to more than half of CEOs and business owners. Among senior managers, 34 per cent expressed confidence in their organisation’s sustainable practices, while 37 per cent of CEOs said they were optimistic about their company’s sustainability efforts.

Sara Wilkes, CEO of Agilitas, points to the need for better alignment within organisations, saying: “While business leaders are focused on sustainability goals, there is a notable disconnect across organisations which needs to be addressed in order to create a culture of collaboration and innovation.”

Moving from Offsetting to Carbon Reduction

One of the most notable shifts in the IT channel’s approach to sustainability, highlighted by the research, is the move away from carbon offsetting towards reduction strategies. For example, in 2022, a third of surveyed businesses were investing in offsetting schemes, but today, less than a quarter are following that route. Instead, firms are prioritising direct reductions in emissions and operational efficiencies that not only help the planet but also cut costs.

Among those already taking action, 36 per cent have implemented reduction-based initiatives, focusing on:

– Improving energy efficiency

– Streamlining business processes

– Adopting remote and hybrid working models

– Partnering with environmentally responsible suppliers

Also, a further 37 per cent of businesses say they plan to roll out reduction strategies over the next year, although more than a quarter admit they have no immediate plans to prioritise carbon reduction.

Commenting on the study’s findings, Deborah Johnson, Head of ESG at Agilitas, has reinforced the importance of carbon reduction over offsetting, stating: “Carbon offsetting, whilst useful in balancing emissions, does not address the underlying issue. Whilst investing in projects that absorb or remove carbon are still good things to do, it’s great to see the switch to carbon reduction strategies that focus on directly reducing the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere from a business’ own operations.”

Challenges in Sustainability Reporting and Transparency

One of the biggest barriers to sustainability progress in the IT channel is the complexity of tracking and reporting emissions, particularly Scope 3 emissions, which encompass the entire supply chain. Businesses are under increasing pressure to collect accurate data and report their progress transparently, not only to comply with regulations but also to meet customers’ growing sustainability expectations.

According to the report, 21 per cent of respondents calculated their carbon footprint across Scope 1 and 2, while only 19 per cent accounted for all three scopes, suggesting that 60 per cent of the channel is not aligning sustainability reporting with the GHG Protocol.

Agilitas CEO Wilkes has highlighted the importance of high-quality data collection, saying: “Ensuring data is accurate, well-logged and reviewed regularly is just the first step. Our Channel Trends report aims to help businesses integrate sustainability into their long-term strategies, both now and in the future.”

The Role of Partnerships in Sustainability

Collaboration appears to be a key driver of sustainability progress in the IT channel. By sharing resources, knowledge, and solutions, companies can work together to reduce supply chain emissions, improve energy efficiency, and embed circular economy principles into their operations.

As highlighted by Lee Ellams, Head of Marketing at a UK-based IT services and solutions provider Tieva: “Partnerships are key to sustainability in the IT Channel, enabling companies to share resources, knowledge, and solutions. Together, they can tackle supply chain emissions, boost energy efficiency, and promote circular economy practices.”

This sentiment has also been echoed by Agilitas IT Solutions, saying: “By working together, channel partners can share best practices, leverage cutting-edge technology, and create truly sustainable supply chains that benefit both the industry and the environment.”

Balancing Sustainability with Business Growth

While sustainability is increasingly recognised as a key business priority, many companies still face the challenge of balancing environmental goals with commercial pressures. With economic uncertainty and rising costs impacting decision-making, some organisations are hesitant to invest in sustainability measures that do not deliver immediate financial returns.

However, many industry experts argue that sustainability and profitability are not mutually exclusive. A well-executed sustainability strategy can help businesses reduce operational costs, enhance brand reputation, and attract environmentally conscious customers. For example, as Sara Wilkes says: “Sustainability isn’t just about compliance or reputation; it’s about resilience. Companies that embrace sustainability will be better positioned for long-term growth and success.”

Consensus?

Other recent industry reports appear to align with Agilitas’s findings, emphasising a growing commitment to sustainability within the IT sector. For example, Deloitte’s 2024 Sustainability Action Report highlights that both public and private US companies are increasingly integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) measures into their operations, viewing them as beneficial for long-term success.

Similarly, Capgemini’s 2024 sustainability trends report highlights the importance of climate technologies, such as low-carbon hydrogen and industrial carbon capture, in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The report notes that two-thirds of executives believe data and digital technologies accelerate the adoption of these climate solutions, despite challenges like high costs and regulatory uncertainties.

A recent analysis by global sustainability consultancy ERM identifies decarbonisation as a critical focus, with stakeholders pushing for more aggressive emission reduction strategies. The report also highlights the need for streamlined sustainability disclosures and the development of sustainable, transparent supply chains.

It seems, therefore, that there is a kind of consensus within the industry on the importance of moving beyond carbon offsetting to implement tangible carbon reduction strategies, aligning with Agilitas’s findings.

What Does This Mean For Your Organisation?

The research from Agilitas IT Solutions does appear to highlight a crucial shift in the IT channel’s approach to sustainability, i.e. one that moves beyond carbon offsetting towards genuine reduction strategies. While offsetting has long been seen as a convenient means of mitigating environmental impact, the industry is increasingly recognising that it does little to address the root causes of emissions. Instead, businesses are turning to proactive measures such as improving energy efficiency, refining supply chains, and adopting new operational models that directly lower their carbon footprint.

However, despite this positive momentum, the findings also highlight a disparity in engagement across different levels of seniority, with business leaders more invested in sustainability than junior managers. This disconnect suggests that while sustainability is now firmly embedded in strategic discussions, translating that commitment into organisation-wide cultural change remains a challenge. Without clear alignment across all levels of an organisation, sustainability efforts risk becoming fragmented or failing to deliver their full potential.

Another critical barrier to progress is the complexity of emissions tracking and reporting, particularly when it comes to Scope 3 emissions i.e., emissions from a company’s value chain, including suppliers, product usage, and transportation. The research indicates that a significant portion of the IT channel is still struggling to meet reporting standards such as the GHG Protocol. Without accurate data and transparent disclosure, businesses may find it difficult to demonstrate real progress or build trust with stakeholders. However, the increasing emphasis on collaboration through partnerships, shared best practices, and collective industry efforts suggests that companies are recognising the need to work together to overcome these challenges.

While commercial pressures remain, there is, therefore, growing evidence that sustainability and business growth are not mutually exclusive. Companies that integrate environmental responsibility into their long-term strategies should stand to benefit not only from cost efficiencies but also from enhanced brand reputation, regulatory compliance, and increased customer loyalty. The findings of the Agilitas report, alongside those of other recent industry analyses, suggest a broader consensus that real carbon reduction, not mere offsetting, is the path forward. The IT channel may be making progress, but continued commitment, collaboration, and clear measurement will be key to ensuring that sustainability remains more than just a stated priority and becomes an embedded reality.