Executive coach Mark K. House faced difficulties with a new supervisor. Instead of consulting HR or a mentor, he used an AI version of himself. House had previously offered his expertise to his boss, only to be dismissed. Feeling sidelined, he turned to eMark, an AI coach created on Coachvox, a platform allowing for custom AI models based on personal content and experiences.

House explains, “The eMark conversations feel eerily real and help me narrow down broader problems to specific issues, which I find helpful,” as reported by Newsweek.

Workplace Loneliness Meets AI

Loneliness in the workplace affects many employees in the U.S. A Gallup report in 2026 indicated that 19% of U.S. employees felt lonely for much of their workday in 2025. However, employees are increasingly using AI for advice and support. According to Workdays 2026 Human Connection Workplace Index, involving 2,150 workers using AI in large enterprises across seven countries, 76% used AI for advice and 37% for companionship. However, 43% expressed concern over losing human connection due to AI in the workplace.

These findings suggest that software is taking up space once occupied by human interaction, despite employee caution about the trade-offs.

Why Companies Are Building AI Coaches

Jim Canfield, co-developer of Colleague, another AI coaching platform introduced in May 2026, built the product after over 10,000 hours with CEOs and leadership teams. Canfield noted many capable individuals faced tough decisions without someone they trusted for advice or candid feedback.

“That is the business problem that interested me. It’s not simply ‘loneliness,’ but what happens when people don’t have someone they trust enough to ask a difficult question,” Canfield shared with Newsweek.

Colleague is designed to offer a constant space for users to work through issues. However, Canfield is cautious and states that they haven’t conducted controlled studies to claim Colleague reduces loneliness.

“As we introduce Colleague within companies, measuring outcomes like engagement and perceived support will be crucial to gauge its effectiveness,” Canfield explained.

What AI Can Actually Provide

Research supports that chatbots can help people process emotions. A 2025 study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that personal AI companions reduced loneliness by making users feel heard. Organizational psychologists say similar mechanisms apply in the workplace.

Karen Niven, a professor at the University of Sheffield, told Newsweek that workplace bots mirror aspects of peer encouragement. “AI can replicate many benefits. Notably, AI is good at making people feel listened to and understood,” Niven said. But she added that these benefits diminish when users are aware they’re interacting with AI.

For House, AI’s main appeal was practical. It allowed him to process advice without pressure. “There is an innate stress to responding spontaneously that the eMark removes,” House noted. Still, he doesn’t see AI as a replacement for real relationships.

Man Versus Machine

From a corporate standpoint, the distinction is vital. While AI offers safe practice environments for tough conversations, there’s no evidence it can replace effective leadership or reduce isolation alone.

Gallup’s research underscores that supportive management, balanced workloads, and structured connections drive engagement.

Bridget Bryan from King’s College in London explained to Newsweek, “An AI tool might help someone feel heard, but it can’t connect them to a network or check in as a human colleague would.”

For now, building trust, fostering culture, and creating connections remain human responsibilities.