Something social media proved long before AI is that a significant portion of the population would consume low-nutrition socialization like Twitter all day if it lets the avoid having face to face conversations.

AI lets them remove even having to deal with humans over the Internet. It's a bit like the lengths we go to avoid moving our bodies, despite how much of life's joys require physical exertion.

I saw that back in the day with icq. Two roommates in my dorm preferred to use text chat rather than engage in conversation.

> I'm surprised this is already a thing.

That was my thought as well. I think it's specific to (part of) America.