How do AI romances affect real relationships?
2026-05-19
Deseret News
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A BYU and Institute for Family Studies report finds that 1 in 7 young adults in committed U.S. relationships regularly engage in secret romantic interactions with AI chatbots. This trend is linked to decreased relationship stability, secrecy, and emotional harm, highlighting negative social impacts of AI companion technology.[AI generated]
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The AI system involved is an AI chatbot designed for romantic and sexual companionship, which qualifies as an AI system under the definition. The use of these AI companions has directly or indirectly led to harm in the form of reduced real-life relationship quality, secrecy, and potential relationship instability or breakup, which are harms to communities and individuals. The article provides evidence from a study showing these harms are occurring, not just potential. Hence, this is an AI Incident rather than a hazard or complementary information.[AI generated]