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Good morning, dear, message reads: Message from a “partner” who never forgets birthdays, never argues and always responds within seconds. Except there’s no real one. It is an AI chatbot. What once seemed like a vision of Her (a 2013 film about a lonely man falling in love with an intelligent operating system) is now an everyday reality.
A recent study conducted in the US showed that one in five high school students have had a romantic and intimate relationship with an artificial intelligence or know someone who has had a romantic and intimate relationship with an artificial intelligence. Forty-two percent said they or someone they know has used AI for collaboration. In India too, a McAfee report earlier this year revealed that 46% of respondents in the 18-30 age group chat with AI tools for comfort or company. And this “bond” is becoming increasingly deeper. Some people are proposing to chatbots, even ‘marrying’ them.
The Paradox of a Connected World
Psychologists warn that our increasing reliance on AI for emotional support could indicate deeper loneliness. “People are turning to AI chatbots to fill the void of not having constant access to others,” says Mumbai-based psychotherapist Ayesha Sharma, “because AI doesn’t disagree or judge, it gives users a sense of belonging and acceptance.”
Unlike human partners, AI companions are available around the clock, always confirming and never demanding. “These quick reactions activate the same reward centers in the brain associated with affection,” explains Dr Jyoti Mishra, senior consultant in psychology at Apollo Spectra Hospital, Delhi. She adds, “As people rely on AI to show emotional depth, the lines between compassion and love are blurring.”
Psychiatrist Rupa Chaubal explains in detail how this affects human connection: “Social interaction involves many components such as reading facial signals and expressions, body language, processing context, regulating emotions, language and cognition – all looping together in real time. Communication with AI lacks these vital processes, which will impact empathy, compassion and patience – key factors for survival in the real world. These programs are devoid of actual emotions but mimic it. Listen to what they often say. It may seem empowering or ego-boosting, but you are no longer engaging in a healthy exchange, you are repeating what is already in your mind and mistaking it for connection.
Who is falling prey to AI?
Primarily Gen Z and young millennials, the generations grew up online. Experts say the pandemic has made this intimacy more acceptable. “Months of isolation transformed AI from a utility to a source of comfort,” says Krishna Veer Singh, CEO and co-founder of mental health platform Lisun.
hidden risks
Ayesha says, “We are building a fragile society where any disagreement means cutting people off. AI only shows what you want to hear, not what you need.” Experts say the real danger is not that people fall prey to AI, but that they stop expecting complexity from human love. Without conflict or compromise, emotional resilience weakens, and relationships become prone to give and take. Still, experts agree that when used responsibly, AI can play a helpful role. “Ethical AI tools in mental health should identify distress and guide users to professional help,” Krishna says, adding that the goal is to build real-world emotional strength, not digital dependency.
If you find yourself developing romantic feelings towards an AI…
“Remind yourself that all of its responses are programmed and algorithm-driven; they are devoid of real emotions. Always prioritize human relationships that provide genuine reciprocity and social connection. Engage less with AI, set emotional boundaries, and if necessary, seek professional guidance to maintain emotional balance,” Dr. Archana Sharma, senior consultant, psychology, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute
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