Van der Goot has studied human–machine communication for years and now focuses on the emotional connections people can form with chatbots. She is affiliated with the Centre for Urban Mental Health, where researchers collaborate with partners such as the municipality to improve mental health in the city. She frequently comments on this topic in the media, noting that companies benefit when chatbots feel warm, personal and easy to engage with.

The constant availability and agreeable style of chatbots can affect users’ social skills. Van der Goot points to earlier examples of de-skilling, such as reliance on navigation tools reducing people’s ability to orient themselves. When individuals turn to a chatbot for emotional support, they may practise less with human interaction, including disagreement or criticism. This can make real-world social contact less appealing for some users.

Van der Goot also warns of broader risks. Large AI companies acknowledge certain harmful effects but often take limited action. She describes the situation as a global experiment without oversight, where products with significant risks remain widely adopted.

To address these concerns, Van der Goot works with mental health professionals to increase awareness. She contributes to guidelines, helps develop educational material on AI and emotions and encourages therapists to discuss chatbot use in sessions. Such conversations can reveal topics users may not yet have shared with a professional.

Her advice to users includes talking to people first when feeling lonely, staying aware that a chatbot is a language model and discussing chatbot use with others. Van der Goot sees this as a reminder of the importance of maintaining human communication.