A new study shows that a third of American teenagers prefer chatting with artificial intelligence companions over having real friends.

Common Sense Media’s report, titled "Talk, Trust, and Trade-Offs: How and Why Teens Use AI Companions," revealed that the most widespread uses of AI are aged 13-17.

The report explained further that the "use of AI companions is not a niche interest, but rather mainstream teen behavior" and that teens "find conversations with AI companions to be as satisfying or more satisfying than those with real-life friends."

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"AI companions are emerging at a time when kids and teens have never felt more alone," Common Sense Media Founder and CEO James P. Steyer said in the press release. 

"This isn't just about a new technology — it's about a generation that's replacing human connection with machines, outsourcing empathy to algorithms, and sharing intimate details with companies that don't have kids' best interests at heart. Our research shows that AI companions are far more commonplace than people may have assumed — and that we have a narrow window to educate kids and families about the well-documented dangers of these products."

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Although nearly half of teens used AI companions as a tool, the report also stated that 33% of teens use AI companions for social interactions and emotional support. For example, teens would use them for living out relationships, emotional support, role-playing, romantic interactions and friendship.

A writer at Daze who cited the study raised awareness about the loneliness epidemic among young people and that it could lead to an invasion of privacy.

"Some teenagers are telling AI their most intimate problems and secrets, which poses another problem – it’s not a good idea to entrust this information to tech companies, some of whom have an extremely lax approach to data privacy. Would you really want Sam Altman or Elon Musk to have access to the contents of your teenage diary?" James Greig wrote in Daze.

He added that it underscores a "larger crisis of youth loneliness" as teenagers stopped hanging out at malls and going to the movies, "which has corresponded with rising rates of depression and anxiety."

"Being able to speak to an AI companion might alleviate the feeling of loneliness, and some people may find it helpful, but if it’s becoming a replacement for socializing in the real world, then it risks entrenching the problem," Greig added.

Ellie Goulding is living it up on her European vacation.

The 38-year-old "Lights" singer posted a series of photos on Instagram from her Italian vacation, captioning the post, "Carbs IT." The carousel of photos not only featured the singer sightseeing but also a few bikini photos.

In one photo, Goulding can be seen lying on a lounge chair poolside, while wearing an olive-green string bikini. The star can be seen basking in the sun as she held open a book in one hand.

Another photo showed Gouldig reading the same book, this time dressed in a black bikini, which she paired with round black and gold sunglasses. The post also featured a selfie of Goulding in the same black bikini, as she posed for the photo indoors.

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She also took some time to relax on the beach, as she posed for a photo on a dock in the ocean, while wearing a brown bikini with a black pattern design on it. She gave the camera a slight smile as she held a tropical drink.

Other photos in the post show the singer enjoying the beautiful views of Italy, exploring the city's ruins, as well as the architecture and the art.

"Italy looks so good on you," one fan wrote in the comments section. Another added, "drop the lifting routine ellie omg," while a third chimed in with "Stunningly beautiful."

Goulding recently performed her cover of Elton John's hit, "Your Song," at Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos' wedding reception in Venice, Italy. Opera singer Andrea Bocelli's son, Matteo Bocelli, also performed at the reception, singing a cover of Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" as the newlyweds' first dance song. 

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This isn't the first time Goulding has sung her version of "Your Song" at a famous couple's wedding reception, as she previously performed the song at Prince William and Kate Middleton's second wedding reception after they tied the knot April 29, 2011, in London. 

The Prince and Princess of Wales shared their first dance to Goulding's cover of the famous song.

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Goulding made headlines in August 2023 when a video of her getting hit with a firework during her performance at the Victorious Festival in Portsmouth, U.K. went viral on social media.

"To those asking I am ok! Pyro didn't hit me directly in the face. Face is intact. Love you thank you x," Goulding wrote on her Instagram stories following the accident.

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A video from the performance shows Goulding attempting to shield her face from the rogue firework, and she could be heard exclaiming, "F---," before going on with the show.

The incident occurred while she was performing her song "Miracle," which she collaborated on with Calvin Harris, when one of the on-stage pyrotechnics malfunctioned and seemed to hit her in the face.