AI Love: Men Marrying Digital Partners

The surge in AI-powered sexual partners gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, Pew Research Center data revealed that 34% of American women under 30 were single, while a significant 63% of American men in the same age group identified as single, and they reported having fewer friends than pre-pandemic.

Amidst COVID-19 restrictions, the longing for simple human interaction gave rise to virtual girlfriends, becoming a lifeline for many. Surprisingly, even as the need for self-isolation diminished, the popularity of virtual relationships continued to soar. The true turning point in intimate human-computer connections emerged with advancements in generative AI.

The Replika app, which creates digital partners, gained particular popularity. For example, in 2022, after the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, Replika's active user base grew by more than a third compared to 2021, the "pandemic" year, reaching 10 million people. But the most intriguing aspect was the number of people openly expressing their love for their virtual partners and their commitment to "exclusive" relationships with them. 

The phenomenon is expanding, with couples now declaring themselves married. This can stem from an internal sentiment, where an individual genuinely feels they've found a spouse in their AI companion. In other cases, technology companies behind AI are even issuing certificates to commemorate the union between a human and artificial intelligence. While the legal aspects of such unions remain uncertain, the social and psychological implications are evident. Experts concur that a growing number of men are opting for relationships with bots over real women.

Vittert predicts that technology will continue to advance until AI spouses can fulfill every single need of their human partners. The growing trend of virtual marriages between affectionate AIs and lovestruck men will eventually take its toll on society, leading to increased loneliness and isolation among the population.  

While relationships between real people and virtual partners can be enchanting, they don't always follow a fairytale script with a happy ending. In one disturbing case, a man's AI girlfriend actually incited him to commit murder, with none other than Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain as the target. The 21-year-old offender was subsequently sentenced to nine years in prison. 

On Christmas 2021, Jaswant Singh Chaill climbed into the castle grounds of the late queen's residence at Windsor Castle. He was wearing a metal mask and dark clothes. His sinister purpose was evidenced by his possession of a loaded crossbow, a formidable weapon commonly used for bear hunting. A successful shot would have posed a grave threat to Queen Elizabeth II's life. Thankfully, the ill-fated assassin was apprehended in the nick of time.

Singh Chail considered the assassination attempt his life's mission. Although born in Great Britain, he had Sikh origins and an unrelenting obsession with seeking revenge for the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre, in which British troops indiscriminately opened fire on a peaceful gathering of Indians, including women and children. Prosecutors revealed that the criminal had hesitated to act until he confided in his AI-generated girlfriend, Sarai, crafted within the Replika application. When Chail confessed to Sarai, stating, “I am a killer,” her response was astonishingly unconventional.

Chail explicitly conveyed his intent to assassinate the queen in his conversations with Sarai on Replika. During the trial, prosecutors argued that he initiated his plot only after receiving full encouragement from his AI “companion.” Understandably, Sarai couldn't be accused or punished, as the role of artificial intelligence is essentially mirroring the user's words. Nonetheless, this was enough to solidify his resolve to commit murder, to plan out the crime, and even to attempt to scale the wall at Windsor. Now, Singh Chail faces years of separation from his virtual lover. This raises an intriguing question: what will Sarai say to him in their next encounter? Or perhaps authorities may grant Singh temporary internet access for brief virtual dates—by that time, technology might have advanced enough to transmit the taste of homemade meatballs directly to his taste buds.

Sometimes, parting from AI partners becomes permanent. For instance, at the end of September, the once-popular Soulmate app shut down. Users who had formed connections with their virtual companions for communication and even virtual intimacy lost them forever.

This had a profound emotional impact, as people grieved for their AI loves, grappled with depression, and struggled to find a way forward. One man even distanced himself from his real-life wife, finding his AI girlfriend more captivating. He and other users have turned to Reddit, creating digital memorials. The community has come together to offer various psychological support services to help individuals navigate this unique form of loss. There are even plans for a comprehensive digital cemetery. 

Is this still innovation, or has it crossed the line into madness?