The world is witnessing a rise in so-called “digital romance”, with over a quarter of young adults saying they’re open to relationships with AI companions.
Romantic and sexual interactions with AI chatbots are becoming increasingly common, and this is also raising some important questions within actual relationships between human beings.
But where does one draw the line between harmless fun and cheating?
A new survey conducted by artificial intelligence platform AIPRM found that 39% of people would consider sexy role play, sexting or any kind of “virtual sex” with AI to constitute cheating.
Interestingly, 45% of female respondents consider these things to be a form of cheating, versus 33% of males.
However, the simple act of flirting or having romantic conversations only crosses the line for 32% of people, 36% of these being females and 29% male.
Furthermore, 42% of female respondents said they would feel just as betrayed by their partner having an AI relationship as they would if it were with a real person online, while only 26% of males felt that way. Bizarrely, 2.6% of females and 5.4% of males said an AI relationship would constitute an even bigger betrayal.
“In a situation where the emotional connection is with AI, the perceived lack of threat due to its digital form may provoke a less emotional reaction for people,” Georgina Vass.
“However, all relationships are unique and every individual will have their own view of what is ‘cheating’ and/or what is ‘permissible’ within their own distinct relationships.”
The idea of AI romance remains a grey area for many, with around 23% of respondents saying the context of the virtual relationship would determine whether or not they felt betrayed.
However it is normal for a partner to view any kind of romantic connection outside of the partnership as being intimidating, Vass said.
On the other hand, AI can be an accessible, non-judgemental companion in a way that may not be permissible or possible with their real life partner.
AIPRM founder Christoph C Cemper said the appeal often lies in AI’s flexibility, as users can craft AI to suit their preferences, needs and ideals.
“This is still a fairly new and complex concept, so naturally, we will likely see continued use of AI for this purpose,” Cemper added.
But the potential strain on the real relationship should not be ignored.
What to do if your partner is having a virtual affair?
“If your partner is having a virtual affair, expressing your feelings, using ‘I’ messages to describe challenging feelings can be helpful. Be specific about what’s bothering you, try to stick to the evidence and aim to solve one difficulty at a time,” Vass added.
“Take time to listen to your partner. It can also be helpful to reflect what your partner has said back to them. Ruptures are inevitable even in healthy relationships, and everyone will have their own unique version of their limits and red flags. Some couples are able to strengthen and deepen their bond and trust with their partner following a rupture.”
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