The latest relationship apps utilise AI to help resolve areas of family and partner communication which previously have been sources of high conflict.
Communication is a cornerstone of human relationships, and AI could be a major asset in enhancing this aspect. By using artificial intelligence to understand human emotions by blending psychology with advanced technology, AI tools can help couples understand their communication patterns and offer constructive ways to address conflicts.
65% of mental health professionals said that communication problems are the most common reason for divorce and 43% said an inability to work together to resolve conflict was the second biggest reason (source: Huffpost). Furthermore, a study by UK marriage and family therapy charity Relate found nearly one-in-five (18%) of the UK population (2.87 million) are in relationships characterised as ‘distressed’. Yet the coverage of specialist relationship help shows that there is only one therapist available for every 21,500 people living in the UK (source Tavistock Relationships). Aside from availability, other barriers to family and couples support include financial concerns, physical distance, privacy concerns and reluctance to engage with counsellors. (source APA).
Empathic AI can create strategic intervention in distressed relationships such as separated co-parents, mixed neurotype partnerships and parent and child interactions. AI tools that analyse language and sentiment can provide insights into high-conflict areas providing both parties with effective understanding through a neutral lens, providing real-time feedback and coaching during discussions.
83% of 18-34 year olds are open to some form of AI assistance in their lives, compared to 57% of 55+
The US AI market is predicted to expand from $87bn in 2023 to $237bn by 2030
In 2023, the global revenues of mobile parenting apps amounted to approximately $542m. By 2030, the size of the global parenting apps market is expected to surpass $900m.
High Conflict Co-Parenting App: BestInterests
Family lawyers and social workers are increasingly recommending co-parenting apps as an option for separated parents. Some apps even have ‘tone’ monitors, to ensure communications between parents are neutral and non-confrontational by flagging up potential messages likely to cause conflict prior to sending. BestInterests, launched in September 2024, takes this one step further. Designed by ex-Google employee Sol Kennedy, BestInterests is designed for high-conflict co-parenting, using AI as a tool to bypass hostility.
Along with the usual co-parenting app functions such as journals, timetables and expense trackers, BestInterest filters communication to reduce the risk of emotional triggers and provides coaching to help users respond constructively. The app filters out anything that isn't child-focused, keeping past grievances and inflammatory content at bay. It also provides real-time feedback on replies to ensure constructive, child-focused responses, further minimising the chances for escalation. Custom notification schedules, such as receiving notifications only once a day, can also be set, significantly reducing the daily anxiety many co-parents live with. Users can also choose to see the original unfiltered message, allowing them to remain informed without immediately engaging with potentially upsetting content.
BestInterests partnered with clinical psychologist Dr. Ramani Durvasula to help develop the app. Speaking via a press release Dr Durvasula said, “BestInterest’s AI-powered communication tool is a modern approach to co-parenting that can significantly reduce the stress and strain of antagonistic and escalating situations,”
Furthermore - and unlike other co-parenting apps - BestInterests allows users to sign up without needing agreement from the other parent, making it ideal for co-parents experiencing coercive control or other emotionally abusive situations. Messages for the non-user parent appear as standard SMS texts meaning even the use of the app remains private.
AI-Powered Parenting
Clinical psychologist Dr Becky dubbed the ‘Millennial Parenting Whisperer’ by Time magazine, launched her new AI-powered app in August 2024, to share her ‘Sturdy’ approach to parenting. Aimed at reducing parental stress to prioritise connections, the app offers personalised scripts and strategies for challenging situations and known pain points.
The new ‘Good Inside’ app tackles concerns and offers parents guidance on areas of high conflict such as phone use, social media, sibling rivalry, tantrums, bedtimes etc. The app also utilises a chat bot facility for immediate guidance for parents as they navigate daily tantrums and frustrations all while trying to preserve their own mental health.
Speaking to Forbes, Dr Becky said, ‘We really can use tech to make our lives easier. Most parents don’t have time to sit down for a parenting course. Our app is built for the parent who truly doesn't have more than three to five minutes in a day. They deserve sophisticated tech to help them through difficult moments - a 24/7 parenting coach in their pocket. As technology makes our lives easier, parents shouldn't be left behind'.
Neurodivergent Relationships
Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) affects approximately 1 in 36 individuals and is characterised by communication challenges along with restricted and repetitive patterns. The divorce rate between neurotypical + autistic partnerships is around 80%, approximately double that of neurotypical marriages, with communication issues considered to be the driving factor. However, research suggests these communication difficulties are caused by mismatched neurotypes - known as the Double Empathy problem - rather than arising from ASC traits.
Released in September 2024, the autistic translator aims to address this, with a simple app developed for use by both partners. The user types in a scenario where a miscommunication arose, or they had become confused by an interaction with a loved one. The translator then provides a detailed explanation of each neurotype's expectations and perspectives on the situation. Furthermore, the translator offers guidance for each neurotype to help bridge the communication gap in the future.
These apps show that AI can be a source of good in relationships, making communication more effective, strengthening connections and resolving conflict. AI’s role in enhancing relationships is a testament to the technology’s growing versatility and sensitivity to human needs with the opportunity to become an invaluable ally in nurturing and maintaining strong, healthy relationships.
The use of an AI-powered app bypasses traditional barriers to accessing support, opening up the benefits of counselling therapy for the time-poor and financially disadvantaged. The use of AI rather than human intervention tackles privacy concerns, appealing to individuals who are unwilling to engage with traditional methods of therapy. Apps like BestInterests, which only require one partner to opt in, also create the opportunity to bypass gatekeeping behaviour.
Furthermore, AI can offer predictive analytics for relationship health, analysing communication patterns and behaviours to predict potential challenges in a relationship. These tools could offer preemptive advice and strategies to strengthen the bond between couples, removing the need for later interventions.
Recent research also found that AI-generated messages can make recipients feel more ‘heard’ compared to responses from untrained humans, demonstrating AI’s ability to detect and respond to human emotions, potentially providing better emotional support.
In line with this, a 2024 study highlighted how interactions with AI can also evoke empathy in humans. Researchers looking at the influence of a 'trembling' conversational AI voice suggest it resulted in increased perceived psychological vulnerability of the AI agent by the human user, followed by a heightened sense of empathic concern. This resulted in increased click-through rates and decreased costs-per-impression in an online charity advertising setting. Adding an ‘emotional’ tremble to the AI voice ultimately increased the study participants' willingness to donate, highlighting ethical concerns.
The study demonstrates the increasing importance for companies involved in Emotional AI to balance innovation with ethical responsibility. This involves ensuring privacy, safeguarding against malignant manipulation, addressing biases in AI models, and securing informed consent from users. It is worth noting that Microsoft discontinued certain aspects of its emotional recognition research in 2022, citing ethical concerns.
These innovations highlight not only the potential of AI to augment human capacity for understanding and communication but also raise important conceptual and practical questions about how best to leverage AI’s strengths to support human connections. As AI continues to evolve, its potential to positively impact the emotional facets of our lives is immense.