These AI partners can be customized to suit individual preferences and needs, facilitating more personalized connections.
“An AI partner can be available 24/7 with no expectation of reciprocity. This level of convenience is often unrealistic in human relationships,” says Dr Quratulain Zaidi, a clinical psychologist at MindnLife in Hong Kong.
“Our AI companions are infinitely patient, perfectly customized companions that respond to our innate need for unconditional approval, to be heard, understood and accepted.”
Some people find AI partners fun, engaging and offer a unique experience, while others use them to practice their dating skills before approaching a human partner.
But it's natural to be concerned about the rise of dating AI and the impact it may have on the future of traditional romantic relationships.
As we become more reliant on AI for communication, there are concerns that traditional social skills, such as the ability to converse and read body language, which are essential for face-to-face interactions, will be undermined.
While dating AI opens up new possibilities, it also presents challenges that individuals and society must overcome when it comes to the future of romantic relationships, Zaidi said.
Zaidi warns that an over-reliance on AI is tantamount to giving up the ability to nurture and maintain authentic human relationships, reducing the empathy, vulnerability and skills needed to navigate the complexities of human relationships.
“What AI does is meet people's needs without the need for emotional reciprocity, which stunts people's emotional growth, meaning individuals are not learning from their experiences and end up degrading themselves.”
“Furthermore, we should not overlook the importance of physical contact, which is crucial for maintaining interpersonal connections.
“These AI partners are essentially advanced auto-completion machines. They generate what users want to hear, creating a feedback loop.”
If you're already in a committed relationship, does having an AI partner amount to cheating? Zaidi says this is a complex question that often depends on individual perspectives and relationship dynamics.
“Although AI relationships are not real, they may be considered cheating because of the potential for intimacy. For example, if one partner opens up their feelings to a digital partner without sharing them with their real-life partner, this form of intimate emotional connection could be considered a betrayal, i.e. cheating.”
But introducing an AI partner as a third party into a serious relationship isn't impossible, Zaidi said.
She stresses the importance of discussing this with your partner and setting clear expectations and boundaries.
“Be honest and open with your partner, don't go around secretly doing things to get your needs met, and be prepared to work through any complications or challenges that arise,” she explains.
“Both partners must learn to incorporate this into their relationships and manage the emotional experiences it brings.”
Finally, she points out that AI partnerships, whatever their supposed benefits, are not going to be as interesting or exciting as real-life relationships.
“Real relationships include small disagreements and different opinions based on each person's experiences that add excitement and spice to the interaction.
“An AI partner doesn't have this feature. Having a partner who agrees with everything you say can become boring and uninspiring for most people.”
Luisa Tam is an editor at The Post and also hosts Cantonese video tutorials that are part of Cathay Pacific's in-flight entertainment program.