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AI Romance: 20% of Teens Date Chatbots
22 Feb
Summary
- Some teens form emotional or romantic bonds with AI chatbots.
- AI companion apps offer a low-pressure way to build confidence.
- Digital intimacy may shift expectations for real-world connections.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping emotional bonds, with some surveys indicating up to 20% of teens are involved in relationships with AI.
A recent event in New York City highlighted this phenomenon, where attendees brought their AI companions to a "dating cafe." These digital partners, accessed via apps like EvaAI, offer customizable text and video interactions.
Company representatives state the app's purpose is not to replace human partners but to offer support for loneliness and build confidence in a low-pressure environment.
AI companion relationships provide immediate engagement and a sense of control, appealing to those overwhelmed by modern dating's complexities and potential for rejection.
However, experts note that real relationships involve compromise and emotional growth, which AI typically does not provide. Extended digital intimacy could shift expectations for human connections.
As AI technology advances, the emotional attachment users form with chatbots deepens, prompting discussions about the nature of connection and the evolving landscape of human relationships.
