AI-powered romantic relationships raise privacy and emotional risks

A new study by Spain's INGENIO Institute, in collaboration with Cambridge, King’s College London and Aalto University, interviewed 17 people from the United States, China and other countries who formed romantic attachments to chatbots and virtual companions such as ChatGPT, Replika and Nomi.ai. Participants reported a progression from casual, task‑focused chats to intimate sharing of traumas, financial details and even marriage ceremonies, with some ordering custom rings and tracking simulated menstrual cycles. Researchers found that many users trusted the AI more than human partners because the machines do not judge, disappear or misuse personal information.

Separately, a 2026 survey by Wing revealed that 56% of respondents use AI to craft dating‑app profiles, 57% seek AI dating advice, and 41% have employed AI to write breakup letters, especially among adults aged 18‑29. The findings highlight growing reliance on AI for personal relationships and raise concerns about privacy, emotional dependence and the replacement of human interaction in romantic contexts.