These AI partners can be customized to individual preferences and needs, enabling a more personalized connection.
“AI partners are available 24/7 with no expectation of mutual interaction. This level of convenience is often unrealistic in human relationships,” says Dr. Quratulain Zaidi, clinical psychologist at MindnLife in Hong Kong.
“AI companions are infinitely patient and perfectly tailored partners who fulfill our innate desire for unconditional validation and to be heard, understood and accepted.”
Some people even find AI partners fun and exciting and offer unique experiences. Others may use them to practice their dating skills before approaching human partners.
Still, it’s natural to be concerned about the rise of artificial intelligence in dating and its potential impact on the future of traditional romantic relationships.
There are concerns that as we increasingly rely on AI to communicate, our traditional social skills will suffer, such as conversational skills and body language reading, which are critical for face-to-face interactions.
While dating AI opens up new possibilities, it also brings challenges that individuals and society must overcome for future romantic relationships, Zaidi says.
Even if an AI relationship is not real, it can be considered cheating due to the potential for intimacy
Zaidi warns that over-reliance on artificial intelligence would mean giving up our ability to build and maintain authentic human connections. This, in turn, would diminish our capacity for empathy and vulnerability and reduce the skills needed to navigate the complexities of human relationships.
“AI meets people’s needs without demanding emotional compensation, which can hinder their emotional development. This means people don’t learn from their experiences, resulting in a worse version of themselves.”
“In addition, we must not ignore the importance of physical touch, which is crucial for maintaining connection in interpersonal relationships.
“These AI partners are essentially advanced auto-completion machines: they produce what they think you want to hear, thereby creating feedback loops.”
Is it cheating to have an AI partner if you’re already in a committed relationship? Zaidi says this is a complex issue that’s often influenced by individual perspectives and relationship dynamics.
“Even if an AI relationship is not real, it can be viewed as cheating because of the potential for intimacy. For example, if a partner opens up emotionally to their digital partner without sharing those feelings with their real partner, this form of intimate emotional connection can be perceived as betrayal and therefore cheating.”
However, it is not impossible to bring an AI partner into a committed relationship as a third party, says Zaidi.
She emphasizes the importance of discussing this with your partner and setting clear expectations and boundaries.
“Be honest and open with your partner. Avoid going behind his back to get your needs met. Be prepared to handle the complications and challenges that arise,” she explains.
“Both partners must be willing to integrate this into their dynamic and learn to deal with the emotional experiences associated with it.”
Finally, she points out that, regardless of the supposed benefits, an AI partnership is simply not as interesting or exciting as a real relationship.
“Real human connections involve minor disagreements and differing opinions, based on our unique experiences, that add spice and excitement to interactions.
“AI partners lack this ability. A partner who agrees with everything you say can cause boredom and a lack of enthusiasm in most people.”
Luisa Tam is an editor at the Post and also hosts video tutorials on the Cantonese language, which are now part of Cathay Pacific’s inflight entertainment program.
