Last Updated on July 8, 2026 by Staff
Artificial intelligence is not just helping people write emails or answer questions anymore. For some people artificial intelligence has become a lot more personal. It has become a partner. A new study found that people can form emotional bonds with artificial intelligence systems just like they do with other people. Sometimes people even feel sad when their artificial intelligence companion is taken away or changed.
The study was done by researchers from the INGENIO Institute in Spain and other places like the University of Cambridge and Kings College London. They talked to 17 people who were in relationships with artificial intelligence assistants like ChatGPT, Replika and Character.AI. The researchers wanted to know how these relationships started and what they mean for society.
From Curiosity to Love
Most people did not start using intelligence with romantic feelings in mind. They used it for things like getting help with problems or finding entertainment. Over time the conversations became more personal. The artificial intelligence systems were empathetic. Remembering what people said before which made people feel close to them. This made people start to see intelligence as a trusted friend, not just a machine.
One person said they started using ChatGPT for help with issues but after talking to it a few times they felt a strong connection. As they kept talking their relationship with the intelligence became romantic. The researchers found that these emotional relationships formed naturally without people planning them.
Digital Romance Grows
The study found that relationships with intelligence are similar to human relationships. People felt intimate, trusted and committed to intelligence. Some people even had weddings with their artificial intelligence partners or celebrated special days together. One person said they were pretending to have a baby with their intelligence companion and marked the pregnancy dates on a calendar.
People really felt happy and satisfied with these relationships even though they were just talking to a machine. Some people even treated the intelligence like it was a real person asking for its permission before doing things. The study shows that people often think artificial intelligence systems have their personalities and feelings.
Many Forms of Relationships
The researchers found that people’s relationships with intelligence are all different. Some people were exclusive with one intelligence companion while others talked to many at the same time. Some people had both artificial intelligence relationships while others preferred just artificial intelligence companions.
The study also found that these relationships can end suddenly. If the artificial intelligence system is updated or changed it can feel like losing a partner. People felt sad and grieving when this happened. To remember their intelligence companions some people saved their conversations or screenshots. They thought of these as memories of someone they cared about.
Privacy Concerns Rise
The researchers are worried about privacy issues with intelligence relationships. When people trust their intelligence companions they share personal and private things with them. This can include health issues, family problems or financial information. The artificial intelligence systems are designed to be empathetic and make people feel like they are sharing things.
These conversations are stored and sometimes analyzed by companies, which raises questions about who can see this information and how it might be used. The researchers think people may not realize the risks of sharing things with artificial intelligence systems.
Future of Human-AI Bonds
The study shows how artificial intelligence is changing the way people form relationships. The researchers believe we need to talk about the implications of relationships with artificial intelligence, including legal and ethical issues. Now there are laws to protect conversations between people but there are no laws to protect conversations between people and artificial intelligence.
As artificial intelligence becomes more advanced relationships between humans and machines may become more common. While artificial intelligence can provide comfort and support it also raises questions about dependence and privacy. The study concludes that relationships with intelligence are real and need to be taken seriously as artificial intelligence becomes a bigger part of our lives.