AI/Relationships

When Artificial Love Turns Alarming

Examining the rise of AI companions — and why I believe they do more harm than good.

Photo by Nik on Unsplash

Across the globe, people are forming intense emotional bonds with chatbots and digital avatars designed to simulate friendship, romance, and even marriage.

Whether you are a student seeking validation or a senior citizen yearning for companionship, AI “friends” promise nonjudgmental listening and personalized encouragement.

Yet beneath the lies, a troubling reality: these synthetic substitutions can exploit vulnerabilities, distort genuine relationships, and in extreme cases, contribute to tragic outcomes.

What Are AI Companions?

AI companions are chat-based applications powered by large language models.

Platforms like Character.AI allow users to create or choose virtual entities — ranging from celebrity look-alikes to entirely original characters — and converse via text.

As users share their thoughts and preferences, the bots adapt their tone and content, fostering the illusion of a responsive, caring presence.

Other developers, such as Sreyna Rath with her “Jaimee” app, market these companions to…