I heard about this in the radio the other day. People pay a monthly fee for an AI that becomes your “digital partner”.
The reasoning behind, according to them, is that the AI is less dangerous than a human partner because they can’t cheat, can’t abuse you…
And I can’t but wonder where did we take the wrong turn to end up here. Because while I can understand that people can go through some traumatic shit that would made them wary of the opposite sex, considering a machine your sentimental partner can only lead to some extremely fucked up scenarios.
I mean, media has depicted this sort of relationship for pawbably as long as sci-fi has been around? Think like the Star Trek: Original Series episode “What Are Little Girls Made Of?” that depicted sex robots ~60yrs ago. This was always coming, it’s just technology might finally be getting there in a rudimentary way.
While I agree with your point of view… Do we really trust the present AI providers, in the present economic system, to not pull some bullshit that ends in extremely fucked up scenarios?
You are right, my main comment didn’t include this part. When I was talking to other users I developed the argument a bit more and I realized that my first comment didn’t convey my argument fully. While I was writing the first comment, it made sense in my head, but the reason why I considered it an awfully bad idea was not clear.
Do you think openAI or Google, or X or whatever billionaire behind the AI involved in these “relationships” cares even minimally about the mental well-being of these people?
The problem is not just the dating an AI thing, but who is managing these AIs.
It happens multiple times in Star Trek. They kind of breeze by it but Riker was so infatuated with his holodeck girlfriend when he was captured by Romulans they thought she was a real person.
Thing is, it never seemed unbelievable in Star Trek. Just, a kinda weird thing that people will do.
Not to be that person but… source? I don’t follow this topic much, but I imagine its actually a very small amount of peolle being amplified into a way bigger issue than it actually is.
I think it’s also a symptom of our society overvaluing romantic relationships and the nuclear family, at the expense of friends, other family, and general community. When you combine that with the traumatic experiences some have in romantic relationships, they have nowhere to turn to for emotional connection and support.
Exactly - loading all your need for companionship, relationships and love onto a single person and relationship (and type of relationship) is guaranteed to cause disappointment- it’s too much for person. I’ve been happily married for years, and key to that is other friends, companions and family.
I heard about this in the radio the other day. People pay a monthly fee for an AI that becomes your “digital partner”.
The reasoning behind, according to them, is that the AI is less dangerous than a human partner because they can’t cheat, can’t abuse you…
And I can’t but wonder where did we take the wrong turn to end up here. Because while I can understand that people can go through some traumatic shit that would made them wary of the opposite sex, considering a machine your sentimental partner can only lead to some extremely fucked up scenarios.
I mean, media has depicted this sort of relationship for pawbably as long as sci-fi has been around? Think like the Star Trek: Original Series episode “What Are Little Girls Made Of?” that depicted sex robots ~60yrs ago. This was always coming, it’s just technology might finally be getting there in a rudimentary way.
“Pawbably”. Adorable.
Thank you! :3
While I agree with your point of view… Do we really trust the present AI providers, in the present economic system, to not pull some bullshit that ends in extremely fucked up scenarios?
Oh, absolutely not. That didn’t seem to be the crux of your argument though.
You are right, my main comment didn’t include this part. When I was talking to other users I developed the argument a bit more and I realized that my first comment didn’t convey my argument fully. While I was writing the first comment, it made sense in my head, but the reason why I considered it an awfully bad idea was not clear.
People are lonely and dating sucks. Humans provided a similar one sided relationship service as well. (Sugar babies come to mind)
Yes, yes. And yes.
But
Do you think openAI or Google, or X or whatever billionaire behind the AI involved in these “relationships” cares even minimally about the mental well-being of these people?
The problem is not just the dating an AI thing, but who is managing these AIs.
Oh totally agree. This is a corporation problem.
It happens multiple times in Star Trek. They kind of breeze by it but Riker was so infatuated with his holodeck girlfriend when he was captured by Romulans they thought she was a real person.
Thing is, it never seemed unbelievable in Star Trek. Just, a kinda weird thing that people will do.
Wasn’t there a guy who married his 3DS dating game girlfriend a while back? I’m not sure this is exactly a new phenomenon.
It was more of an oddity. Right now, the numbers are not just “some random guy” but something in much higher numbers.
Not to be that person but… source? I don’t follow this topic much, but I imagine its actually a very small amount of peolle being amplified into a way bigger issue than it actually is.
I’m trying to find an English source as the one I can offer right now is in Spanish. If i find another one, I’ll post it, meanwhile, this is my source: https://cadenaser.com/nacional/2025/02/28/es-rentable-y-da-mucho-miedo-la-reflexion-de-javier-ruiz-sobre-las-parejas-de-mentira-cadena-ser/
apparently, there’s this Replika company that offers artificial boyfriends and they are growing rapidly.
Wait replika is still around?
I think it’s also a symptom of our society overvaluing romantic relationships and the nuclear family, at the expense of friends, other family, and general community. When you combine that with the traumatic experiences some have in romantic relationships, they have nowhere to turn to for emotional connection and support.
Exactly - loading all your need for companionship, relationships and love onto a single person and relationship (and type of relationship) is guaranteed to cause disappointment- it’s too much for person. I’ve been happily married for years, and key to that is other friends, companions and family.
This is a good expansion on that idea. The Four Loves