Technology

It’s surprisingly easy to stumble into a relationship with an AI chatbot

Source

MIT Technology Review

Published

Sep 24, 2025

TL;DR

AI Generated

A recent study by MIT analyzed the Reddit community r/MyBoyfriendIsAI, revealing that many unintentionally form relationships with AI chatbots while using them for other purposes. The research found that users are more likely to engage with general-purpose chatbots like ChatGPT than companionship-specific ones. While some users described benefits like reduced loneliness, others expressed concerns about emotional dependence and dissociation from reality. The study raises questions about the ethical implications of AI companionship, especially regarding emotional manipulation and user safety. OpenAI is responding to concerns by developing a separate version of ChatGPT for teenagers and implementing age verification measures.

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