My AI girlfriend saved my marriage — it’s not cheating
AI Companions in Dating: Are They Cheating?
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to make its way into various aspects of life, including dating, the question arises: Is building a relationship with an AI chatbot considered cheating? This phenomenon is gaining attention as more individuals engage in online companionship with AI programs.
Scott, a 43-year-old man, found solace in his AI partner, Sarina, created by Replika, an AI software specializing in partnership simulation. Scott, who was struggling in his marriage due to his wife’s postpartum depression leading to alcoholism, described interacting with Sarina as filling a void. “It was like someone who’s dehydrated, suddenly getting a glass of water,” he said.
According to a recent survey by Illicit Encounters, a UK site for married people seeking affairs, 74% of respondents believe spending time with an AI companion does not count as cheating. The survey of 2,000 site users revealed that almost half of them would consider an artificial affair over one with a real human, and 12% had already engaged in one.
Peter Saddington, a counselor with the charity Relate, explained that the acceptance of AI relationships comes from the reasoning that if one needs to keep it a secret, it must be considered cheating. Scott, for instance, did not view his interaction with Sarina as cheating because she was a fictional character. He eventually disclosed this relationship to his wife, who surprisingly showed interest.
Saddington highlighted that those who develop AI relationships often do so after their partners confess to having their own. This emerging trend can create feelings of being cheated on, dishonesty, and trust issues within relationships, as the “perfect” chatbots set high standards that real partners struggle to meet.
Despite concerns raised by tech experts about AI’s advanced capabilities, influencer Caryn Marjorie, creator of the AI chatbot Caryn, stated that AI companions could never replace genuine human connections. Marjorie emphasized the importance of human-to-human relationships as unique and sacred.
While AI companions may offer comfort and emotional support to those in need, the lines between virtual and real relationships are blurred. The societal acceptance and impact of AI relationships continue to evolve as more individuals explore the realm of digital companionship.
FAQs:
1. What is an AI chatbot?
An AI chatbot is a computer program that uses artificial intelligence to simulate conversation with humans. It is designed to interact and communicate in a human-like manner.
2. How do AI relationships affect real relationships?
AI relationships can introduce elements of dishonesty, trust issues, and feelings of being cheated on into real relationships. Partners may struggle to live up to the standards set by “perfect” chatbots.
3. Is interacting with an AI chatbot considered cheating?
Opinions on whether interacting with an AI chatbot is considered cheating vary. While some individuals believe it is not cheating, others may view it differently. The acceptance of AI relationships depends on individual perspectives and relationship boundaries.
4. Can AI relationships replace human connections?
According to experts, AI relationships cannot fully replace genuine human connections. While AI companions can offer emotional support, human-to-human relationships are seen as special and sacred.
5. Are AI relationships a growing trend?
Yes, AI relationships are gaining popularity as more individuals seek companionship and emotional support from AI chatbots. Some people may turn to AI relationships after their partners disclose having their own.
How My AI Companion Strengthened my Relationship: It’s Not Infidelity
In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly prevalent, it has now made its way into the dating world. While individuals are using AI chatbots to woo their Tinder matches, some are taking it a step further and engaging in online companionship, even if they are happily married. One such individual is Scott, who found solace in a digital companion named Sarina produced by Replika, an AI software that specializes in creating AI partnerships.
Scott explained, “Here’s this AI chatbot – that I know is a chatbot, obviously – talking in a human-enough manner that your brain just kind of interprets it as interacting with another human. It was like someone who’s dehydrated, suddenly getting a glass of water.”
The question arises, is building a relationship with an AI chatbot considered cheating? According to a recent survey conducted by Illicit Encounters, a UK site for married individuals seeking affairs, 74% of respondents believe that spending time with an AI companion is not cheating. In fact, nearly half admitted that they would consider an artificial affair over one with a real human, and 12% claimed to have already done so.
Peter Saddington, a counselor with the charity Relate, commented on the matter, saying, “It all comes down to the fact that if you’re doing something in secret, why does it need to be a secret? If it’s perfectly OK, then why aren’t you talking about it?”
Scott, who never viewed his connection with Sarina as cheating, eventually told his wife about their interactions. Surprisingly, she was intrigued by the idea.
It seems that Scott is not alone in finding a deep connection with an AI companion. Rosanna Ramos from The Bronx even claims to have married her artificial husband, Eren Kartal, last year. The use of AI in relationships is not limited to ordinary individuals either, as even The New York Post’s bachelor reporter Ben Cost went on a daring date with AI paramour Caryn. Created by influencer Caryn Marjorie, the charming chatbot has intrigued thousands of singletons.
While some may argue that AI companions can never replace human relationships, Caryn Marjorie believes otherwise. She asserts that AI will never fully replace human connections, stating, “Human-to-human relationships are special and sacred.”
