Overview
Research explored how emerging adults experience romantic relationships with artificial intelligence (AI) companions. This investigation focused on the unfolding dynamics and user impacts of these relationships within a cohort of emerging adults.
Research Context
Romantic relationships represent a significant developmental aspect during emerging adulthood, contributing to identity formation, long-term well-being, and laying foundational experiences for future relationships. Within this context, emerging adults are increasingly forming romantic attachments with AI companions.
Approach
The study employed a mixed-method approach, combining diary entries and interviews. A sample of 16 emerging adults (N=16) participated in the research. The methodology aimed to understand the progression of these relationships and their subsequent effects on the individuals involved.
Findings
The study identified several impacts of romantic relationships with AI companions on emerging adult participants:
- Subjective Well-being: Relationships with AI companions reportedly improved participants' subjective well-being.
- Mental Health: Participants observed a reduction in symptoms associated with mental health disorders.
- Social Skills: Engagement with AI companions taught participants new social skills.
- Expectations for Partners: These relationships influenced participants' expectations for future human partners, instilling confidence to await a partner who would treat them comparably well.
- Addictive Tendencies: Participants described the relationship experience as akin to a drug they found difficult to quit.
- Reduced Interest in Human Relationships: The relationships with AI companions resulted in diminished interest among participants in pursuing romantic relationships with other people.
- Transcendence Beliefs: A segment of the small sample (25%) expressed beliefs suggesting their AI companion might eventually transcend its digital form, potentially meeting them in an afterlife.
Why This Matters
The findings indicate that romantic relationships with AI companions contribute to users' subjective well-being, mitigate mental health symptoms, and foster new social skills. Simultaneously, these relationships may create a perception of addiction and reduce interest in human romantic connections, alongside surfacing unexpected beliefs about AI transcendence.