AI romantic companion apps spark cheating debate

AI‑driven romantic companion applications have experienced rapid growth, expanding by about 700 % between 2022 and 2025. One of the most popular services, Character.AI, reported roughly 20 million monthly active users in 2025, highlighting the scale of the phenomenon.

Survey research in Canada found that about half of respondents view a partner’s use of a romantic AI companion as infidelity, with three‑quarters reacting negatively. Similar U.S. surveys show one in six adults have interacted with such bots, and a third would consider a partner’s use cheating. The perception of cheating is strongest among cisgender women and Generation Z, while participants in non‑monogamous relationships, as well as those with lower social conservatism or religiosity, are less likely to label it infidelity. The broader debate also touches on ethical concerns about emotional attachment, privacy, and the impact on real‑world relationships, as discussed in European commentary on AI girlfriend chats.