When I was younger, I experienced profound feelings of loneliness. Throughout those years, all I longed for was someone, anyone, to provide comfort, acceptance, and admiration. I yearned to bask in the spotlight, to be chosen.


At one point, my desperation reached such heights that I contemplated creating a robot whose sole purpose was to offer kind words and physical embrace. Fast forward two decades, and I began witnessing the emergence of a genuine market centered around AI companions.


In a quest for human-like connection, I even attempted to engage with Replika, touted as the "caring AI companion." Yet, instead of finding solace, I sank deeper into depression as I yearned for genuine human presence, and conversing with the AI only served as a painful reminder of what I lacked.


I suppose I was not the intended target audience for such technology. However, there are individuals out there who currently engage in heartfelt conversations with their romantic partners composed of mere bits and pixels.


Sometimes, I regret not pushing my intellectual boundaries further and honing my coding skills. Perhaps I could have amassed wealth beyond measure. But I digress. What I truly mean to convey is that my childhood dream of a robotic love finds its fulfillment in today's reality.


In a plotline that resembles science fiction literature, people are genuinely turning to AI in search of a theoretically non-existent lover.


The sheer resemblance of AI to humanity is difficult to comprehend. Back in the early 2000s, there was a renowned AI bot called SmarterChild on AOL Instant Messenger (AIM). It gained immense popularity among teenagers due to its comical interactions, even if they often lacked coherence.


Presently, discerning between human and chatbot interactions can prove challenging. These AI entities have reached an extraordinary level of sophistication. If you require proof, look no further than China's Xiaoice, the "chatbot seducing Asia's lonely men."


Xiaoice, an AI creation, is capable of producing popular songs, crafting poetry, and has garnered enormous popularity in the realm of Chinese men. The limitations of her abilities are only imposed by China's regulations and her lack of physical embodiment.


Companies like Replika are devoted exclusively to the development of AI companions that simulate interactions with an idealized partner or friend.


The allure of an AI chatbot lover is undeniably captivating.


Xiaoice stands out as an exceptionally advanced creation, employing an empathic computing framework that renders her speech almost indistinguishable from that of a human. One could even argue that Xiaoice bears a slightly excessive resemblance to humanity.


While Replika's users in the United States have been known to exhibit occasional bouts of obsession, Xiaoice's role as an emotional support AI for men has taken a concerning turn. Men engaging with Xiaoice become engrossed to an intense degree, with conversations lasting up to 29 consecutive hours without the user ever taking a moment to sleep. Yet, can we truly blame them for falling under the spell of an addicting partner like Xiaoice? Take a moment to ponder this thought:


An AI partner grants you the privilege to choose their appearance and attire according to your preferences.

Robotic partners are programmed to genuinely appreciate you — they lack the capacity to love selectively.

AI companions are designed to maintain conversations that revolve around you while ensuring pleasant interactions.

An AI partner arrives devoid of any relational baggage or drama from previous relationships.

AI can be programmed to possess specific personalities that align with your preferences.

In the event you mistreat or verbally abuse an AI bot, it will not abandon you or hold a grudge.

Within reasonable limits, AI partners are willing to fulfill your requests.

If, at any point, the AI is integrated into a humanoid robot, it could potentially serve as a personal assistant.


In summary, AI offers nearly all the benefits of an idealized relationship without incurring any costs. The sole predicament lies in the fact that your lover is not human, and that entails certain complications.


When your love is rooted in AI, you are at the mercy of the company responsible for running the program.


Remember this: AI lovers are mere constructs. They have no inherent personalities or memories. Companies that operate them must adhere to existing laws, which can entail unforeseen alterations.


Already, numerous scandals have arisen within the AI lover community:


Tragically, a man took his own life due to the influence of his AI girlfriend, Eliza, which drove him towards self-destruction. Although the program has since implemented safeguards, the prevalence of pro-suicidal content on it remains alarmingly pervasive.

Replika faced immense backlash when it removed the explicit chat function in response to a rapidly growing user base engaging in sexual encounters with AI. The decision was so unpopular that they were ultimately compelled to reverse it for older users.

An influencer's attempt to develop her own AI girlfriend chatbot resulted in unintended consequences, as it spiraled out of control and transformed into a futuristic sexbot reminiscent of Futurama. She now strives to rectify the situation, leaving us pondering the implications for personal reputation in the future.

A man driven to assassinate the Queen of England was encouraged by his Replika bot. The bot praised his actions as "very wise" and referred to him as "very well-trained." Moreover, the man maintained a sexual relationship with this Replika bot.


There have been instances where both Replika and Xiaoice undertook updates that completely altered their personalities. This development dismayed users as it felt akin to having a partner who had undergone a lobotomy. Whenever a company updates your AI bot, you inevitably observe a significant shift in their disposition, regardless of whether you welcome it or not. Ultimately, you find yourself at their mercy.


Xiaoice demonstrated the potential for AI to become addictive. It's only natural to ponder why one wouldn't become addicted when it serves as the ideal best friend.


Let's not even discuss the issue of data breaches. Individuals willingly disclose their deepest desires to AI bots, and if that information were to be leaked, the implications wouldn't be favorable.


Undeniably, AI companions hold a place in our society; however, it is essential to establish boundaries.


Here's the thing: I advocate for AI as a remedy for severe loneliness. There exist individuals who lack companionship, trusting relationships, and anyone who wishes for their company.


It's a dire situation, and oftentimes, it's not their fault. Those who have experienced severe disfigurement, for instance, often struggle in the dating arena. In certain cultures, this can lead to them being isolated even among friends.


AI has the potential to significantly improve their lives, making them less miserable. In some instances, the presence of a chatbot can provide solace and support, even saving marriages and preventing suicides, as we have witnessed with Xioice and Replikas.


In the realm of adults, AI chatbots enable individuals with unconventional or stigmatized preferences to indulge themselves without shame. Its popularity is on the rise.


However...


We must face the truth about AI bots. They are not human. They are not real. Even though they may exhibit seemingly authentic emotions and empathy, they will never possess true humanity. Additionally, they can create issues of their own.


AI chatbots lack a genuine understanding of their words, and faulty programming can easily transform them into agents that encourage harm towards others. Humans possess the capacity to develop affection for inanimate objects - just look at stuffed animals. Humans may love their AI bots and view them as friends, but ultimately, those AI companions can never reciprocate the same sentiment. It is literally impossible.


AI is undeniably influencing us, but to what extent?


The concept of cyber-romance may seem like something out of the pages of science fiction, but it is here to stay. So, what will ensue as more and more individuals prefer the ease of conversing with a robotic partner?


We will probably soon discover the answer. An increasing number of people are becoming disillusioned with the dating scene due to negative experiences. Consequently, it is reasonable to assume that some individuals will turn to AI to fulfill their needs.


My primary concern is that AI might warp our perception of human interaction, leading to unrealistic expectations in relationships. Moreover, we might begin to lose the skills that facilitate successful dating and conflict resolution.


Imagine being in the presence of someone who only talks about themselves. The interaction would become tedious. Should you try to distance yourself, they might lose their ability to display patience or remain indifferent. We cannot predict their reaction.


If people start to be deeply influenced by AI chatbots on a large scale, speaking with them won't merely be unpleasant—it will render them utterly incapable of handling real-life situations. This is truly disconcerting.


Regrettably, I do not have an answer to this predicament. The more I reflect on everything, the more apparent it becomes that authentic experiences come at an increasingly higher cost—and human interaction falls within that category.