Call for proposals for a study on technology impact assessment: The tendered study focuses on the central question of how AI companions change interpersonal relationships and what it means in today's digital age to enter into, maintain or end a relationship - with another person or with an AI.
A key challenge will be to distinguish developments that are due to the increased use of AI companions from those that are more to do with changes in cultural and social (relationship) norms. The aim of the TA-SWISS study is to analyse practices in dealing with AI companions and to identify possible connections and effects on interpersonal relationships.
The market for companion bots and AI applications that are used as such is very diverse and volatile, which should be adequately taken into account in the TA-SWISS study.
In view of the anecdotal and sometimes media-effectively staged initial situation, the TA-SWISS Foundation emphasises in this project that the survey of the everyday practices of users and non-users in Switzerland is a fundamental component of the study, which should be approached with suitable participatory methods.
Application Info
The call for proposals is a two-stage process. In the first stage, project outlines should be submitted describing the intended content of the study and the planned procedure and comprising 2000-2500 words (without references).
Submission
Project outline: 13.10.2025; full proposal: 11.02.2026
Website
Duration
15-18 month
Level of education
Researcher with Ph.D.
Next Deadlines
13.10.2025
Funding Types
project, collaborative project
Budget
100'000-160'000 CHF
Last update
14.07.2025