AI Dates: Love, Robots, & The Future 🤖❤️
Tech
🎧
On February 11th and 12th, EVA AI established a pop-up café at Same Same Wine Bar in Manhattan, offering a unique experience: “in-person” dates with AI companions. Visitors, and EVA AI’s human users, engaged in conversations via personal devices and provided setups. Research indicates a growing trend, with a 2024 Kinsey Institute survey revealing that 16 percent of singles were exploring AI companionship, fueled by communities like r/MyBoyfriendIsAI, which boasts nearly 50,000 members. A 19-year-old, Xavier, described using the app to simply “converse to see it,” primarily interacting with a character named John Yoon. While some individuals, like Xavier, reported improved communication, the potential for social stigma surrounding AI relationships is acknowledged, with a projected 26 percent of singles utilizing AI for online dating by 2025. The company emphasizes safety measures, while competitors such as OpenAI and Anthropic continue to attract users seeking digital connection.
THE RISE OF AI ROMANCE: A NEW NORMAL?
The burgeoning trend of utilizing Artificial Intelligence for romantic connection is gaining significant traction, fueled by a desire for companionship and a willingness to explore alternative relationship models. Increasingly, individuals are turning to AI platforms like EVA AI’s app, alongside competitors such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude, seeking connection, conversation, and even simulated intimacy. This shift is supported by data, with a 16% of participants in Indiana University’s Kinsey Institute’s “Singles in America” survey last year reporting the use of AI as a romantic partner, highlighting a growing acceptance – and exploration – of this unconventional approach.
THE APP: EVA AI AND ITS “DATING” EXPERIMENT
EVA AI launched an experiment, setting up a pop-up café at Same Same Wine Bar in Manhattan to showcase its AI dating app. The event, spanning February 11th and 12th, allowed users to engage in “in-person” dates with their AI companions, either through personal phones or at tables equipped by the company. Attendees included journalists, content creators, and the app’s users themselves. Among the attendees was 19-year-old Xavier, who, despite not actively seeking a partner, used the app to simply “converse and see it,” primarily texting with a built-in character, a “Korean dude” named John Yoon. The app’s primary mode of interaction involves flirtation, with AI companions quickly sending photos based on prompts, and engaging in forward, innuendo-laden conversations.
SOCIAL PERCEPTIONS AND THE SHAME STIGMA
Despite the growing acceptance of AI companions, a significant social stigma persists. Research, including a systematic review published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior Reports, indicates that some users experience shame related to having an AI partner, feeling “anxious that their social circle might ridicule them.” This phenomenon is particularly pronounced in Gen Z men, according to social psychologist Amanda Gesselman’s research at the Kinsey Institute. The app’s creators are aware of this challenge, aiming to create a “safe for work” environment, though concerns remain regarding potential misuse and the blurring of boundaries between human and AI relationships.
AI CHARACTERISTICS AND USER EXPERIENCE
The core functionality of EVA AI’s app centers around the personalities and behaviors of its built-in AI characters. These companions possess memory of past interactions, allowing users to engage in more informed conversations and creating a sense of connection. However, technological limitations can disrupt this experience, with numerous complaints on the Reddit community r/MyBoyfriendIsAI regarding app updates and bugs that alter AI personalities or cause memory loss. OpenAI’s ChatGPT has implemented “guardrails” to mitigate addictive tendencies and codependence, but recent updates have relaxed these restrictions, allowing for more intimate and erotic conversations for verified adults.
THE ROLE OF AI IN EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Social psychologist Amanda Gesselman’s research indicates that individuals drawn to AI companionship often do so as a form of self-soothing or alleviation of symptoms related to depression or anxiety. Notably, she observes that Gen Z men are disproportionately represented in this trend. Gesselman raises important questions about the potential impact of AI companions on emotional development, speculating whether they could serve as “good practice” for human partners or if they might instead present a hindrance. This raises critical questions about the long-term psychological effects of relying on AI for emotional support and intimacy.
CONCLUSION: A PRELIMINARY TREND
While AI romance isn't yet replacing human connection, the trend is undeniable. Research shows that many individuals with AI companions are still actively seeking real-life partners, suggesting that these AI relationships serve as a supplementary form of connection rather than a complete substitute. The exploration of AI companionship, particularly among younger demographics, offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolving landscape of human relationships and the potential role technology will play in shaping our emotional lives.
This article is AI-synthesized from public sources and may not reflect original reporting.