Beyond Curiosity: Young Adults' Instrumental Adoption of Social Chatbots in Italy

The rise of Artificial Intelligence-driven social chatbots has generated intense debate about their psychological and social implications, particularly for younger generations who are most likely to adopt these technologies. This study presents findings from a comprehensive survey of 534 Italian adults examining attitudes toward and experiences with social chatbots, with a specific focus on the 18-34 age cohort. Results reveal that young adults represent the primary adopter group (51.2% usage rate versus 40.4% for adults 35+), yet their engagement remains predominantly instrumental rather than relational. The majority use chatbots for study assistance (57.6%) and exploration (55.8%), deriving measurable practical benefits in mood improvement and self-confidence without developing significant emotional attachments. Notably, young adults exhibit a distinctive paradox: they are simultaneously more open to emotional communication with AI (mean score 2.39/5 versus 1.95/5 for older adults) yet more concerned about social stigma (3.30/5 versus 2.59/5). These findings challenge dystopian narratives about AI replacing human relationships while highlighting the importance of understanding generational differences in human-AI interaction. The study contributes to the growing literature on social AI by providing empirical evidence from a European context and demonstrating that young adults are adopting these technologies strategically as tools rather than substitutes for human connection.