AI Girlfriends: A Rise in Virtual Companions and the Effect on Male Loneliness
AI virtual companions, especially AI girlfriends, have gained popularity in recent years, particularly since the pandemic. Professor Liberty Vittert, a data science expert, has expressed concern about the impact of these relationships on male loneliness. The availability of AI girlfriends has made these relationships increasingly mainstream. Apps like Replika, which offer AI-powered digital partners, have seen significant growth in users. Some individuals have even reported being in love, engaged, or married to their AI partners.
According to Vittert, the problem lies in the fact that AI girlfriends provide ideal relationships without any challenges or downsides. Unlike real relationships, AI girlfriends never have bad days and can fulfill all of their user’s needs. This can potentially lead men to choose AI companions over real connections, which could impact birth rates and contribute to the higher proportion of single men in the US. Furthermore, while AI virtual partners can provide companionship, they may also isolate individuals and contribute to feelings of loneliness.
Vittert emphasizes that women tend to have more close friends and are not as psychologically affected by the AI lifestyle as men. Research data supports this, showing a higher percentage of single men compared to women. Men also tend to report having fewer close friends, a trend that worsened during the pandemic. The prevalence of AI girlfriends has grown rapidly in recent years, with advancements allowing for more personal and emotional interactions, including the exchange of pictures.
