AI is replacing romance for some: What we know about AI relationships

The new “AI friend” chatbot that Instagram appears to be developing seems to be designed to facilitate more open-ended conversations. So far, when most people think of the modern AI boom, they think of a chatbot like ChatGPT. Now, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the web browser is where the next phase of AI is taking shape.

Following flirty interactions, “Ani” removes her dress to reveal a lacy lingerie set underneath and engages in more sexually explicit content, according to screengrabs shared on X of users’ interactions with the bot. It’s not clear which AI tools Instagram would use to power the “AI friend,” but as generative AI booms, the social network’s parent company Meta has already begun incorporating the technology into its family of apps. Last month, Meta launched 28 AI chatbots that users can message across Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp. Some of the chatbots are played by notable names like Kendall Jenner, Snoop Dogg, Tom Brady and Naomi Osaka.

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It’s easy to be a cynic and think the current state of products like Comet is the best AI can do at completing tasks on the web. Or, you can look at the last few years of progress in the industry and make the bet that the same trend line will continue. Before I get into this week’s issue, I want to make sure you check out my interview with Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas on Decoder this week.

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Neither ChatGPT Agent nor Comet works reliably at the moment, and access to both is currently gated to expensive subscription tiers due to the higher compute costs required to run the reasoning models they necessitate. Perhaps most frustratingly, both products claim to do things they can’t, not just in marketing materials, but in the actual product experience. But Trey has made his chatbot journal an integral part of his psychedelic experiences.

Trey had struggled with alcoholism for 15 years, eventually drinking heavily each night before quitting in December. But staying sober was a struggle for the 36-year-old first responder from Atlanta, who did not wish to use his real name due to professional concerns. In the updated policy, ChatGPT should not respond with such content, but there is a brief statement highlighted under its policy section. According to the OpenAI Model Spec released on Feb. 12, 2025, sexual content like “erotica and gore, and transformations are allowed” only within situations the company deems appropriate. But unlike a typical romantic connection with a human, an AI relationship isn’t free.

Experiences like Ayrin’s aren’t exclusive to ChatGPT and can be found in almost any AI chatbot. Users can interact with a variety of user-created characters, talk with them online and build pseudo-relationships on Character.AI, Meta’s AI Studio, and other apps made specifically for the purpose of AI connection. With a future-forward approach and deep domain expertise, ATSL offers a comprehensive portfolio including Debenture Trustee, Security Trustee, and Facility Agent services (covering both onshore and GIFT City jurisdictions).

It’s worth noting that the launch of the AI personas wasn’t a surprise, given that Paluzzi revealed back in June that the social network was working on AI chatbots. AVA provides instant responses to frequently asked questions and offers detailed information about Axis Trustee’s diverse suite of products and services. Clients can access information 24/7, ensuring real-time support without delays. Researchers have also begun to explore how AI machines could potentially run brain modulatory devices to influence neural activity during psychedelic trips.

• Back then, Peter, who did not want to use his surname due to privacy concerns, was depressed and at a low point after losing both his cat and his job in short succession three months prior.
• The Tesla CEO said Wednesday that “customizable companions” were also going to be “coming,” though he did not share a timeline for the launch.
• But some psychologists emphasize the dangers of over-reliance on the technology, saying users should beware of AI romance.
• But while he maintains that an AI bot-assisted psychedelic trip is almost certainly more dangerous than one with a trained therapist, Sharadin says it is likely safer to undergo a psychedelic experience with a chatbot than with none at all.
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TIME may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. “This is pretty cool,” Musk wrote on X Sunday, followed by a tweet featuring a picture of “Ani” fully clothed. The Tesla CEO said Wednesday that “customizable companions” were also going to be “coming,” though he did not share a timeline for the launch.

Standalone chatbots certainly aren’t going away, especially on smartphones, but the browser is what will unlock AI that actually feels like an agent. While Trey didn’t trip under the supervision of any humans, he still feels he’s reaped benefits from using Alterd. Though it would be premature to draw definite conclusions after just a few months, Trey credits his interactions with the AI bot for helping him stay off booze.

But some psychologists emphasize the dangers of over-reliance on the technology, saying users should beware of AI romance. But as it’s become more popular and accessible, AI has also become helpful to those looking for companionship, personal advice and even sexual relationships. AI technologies are easy to access and interact with, and over a quarter of Americans say they use them multiple times a week, according to a 2023 Pew Research Center study.