My roommate finds it helps with loneliness - oftentimes she's home alone because of her work schedule as a flight attendant, and everyone else is busy at work, so she has no one to really talk to. She has found some happiness with talking to Alexa.
I found this out with elderly relatives, too. They know it's a computer, but they like the interaction. When my father said 'Alexa, good night', she replied 'Sleep Well'. Several of his friends then wanted an Echo as well.