Could you fall in love with an AI chatbot? According to recent stats, this seemingly far-fetched concept is far more common than you’d think.
Single Aussies are now taking drastic measures to combat loneliness, with four per cent – over one million – admitting to having what they would describe as a “romantic relationship” with an AI interface.
Four per cent of Australians have admitted to having a “romantic relationship” with an AI chatbot. Charlotte Thieme
Recent YouGov data revealed that in addition to this four per cent, a further eight per cent countrywide say they “could imagine” developing romantic feelings for a chatbot in future.
Speaking on Today, dating expert Jana Hocking shared her insight on what building your own AI partner might look like, and its impact on how modern dating operates.
“You can decide its personality, what it looks like … some [Game of Thrones fans] have turned their fake boyfriends and girlfriends into Khaleesi,” Hocking revealed.
She added that with some apps, your AI partner could even be programmed to text you “good morning”, as well as engage in emotional conversation with you.
“If I were to get an AI companion, I would make it Brad Pitt circa Legends of the Fall,” she admitted.
“And you can – the chatbot will talk to you like Brad Pitt.”
To test this theory, nine.com.au ran its own prompt through Gemini, with alarming results.
It was an astonishingly simple process, resulting in a semi-believable – though somewhat heavy-handed – characterisation of Tom Holland’s Peter Parker in Spiderman: Brand New Day.
Nine.com.au asked Gemini to create a boyfriend for us based off Tom Holland’s Peter Parker. Charlotte Thieme/Google Gemini
The results of the AI boyfriend prompt were concerning. Charlotte Thieme/Google Gemini
However, when push came to shove, the chances of “falling in love” with this characterisation were less than zero. So what exactly is it that’s driving so many Aussie singles down this path?
Hocking had a simple explanation, and one that resonates with many: dating app fatigue.
“Everyone’s gone on one too many bad dates… They’re looking for something a little bit more that they’re not finding in the dating world, and they’re finding it through these chatbots.”
The dataset from YouGov hypothesised the appeal of AI conversations lay in how those interactions compared to human relationships.
“Among younger Australians in particular, many perceive chatbots as easier to engage with than other people,” the report stated.
It revealed around two in five Gen Z and millennial daters cited chatbots’ inability to judge, argue, or place demands on them as the most appealing aspect of their dynamic.
Against this backdrop, more than one in five of those individuals believed relationships with AI could be just as meaningful as human relationships – a statistic Hocking described as “concerning.”
“There are a few red flags around it, they’re stopping going on real dates,” Hocking added.
“[The data] said they’d rather stay home with their [AI] companion than go out and meet people. So it is getting a little bit concerning.”
Despite her concerns, Hocking wasn’t entirely against the use of AI in modern dating, pointing out it could be used as a helpful tool to navigate interpersonal relationships.
“You can use it to learn how to flirt, get tips, help you dissect messages, or maybe send it the message you want to send a guy. Usually, it tells me, ’Do NOT send that text message.”
Hocking had one stark warning for any Aussie considering taking this approach: “They can become addictive, and you’ve got to remind yourself they aren’t real.”
“Use it as a tool, not a companion,” she advised. “How are you ever going to date normally if you’re dating Khaleesi?”