Replika lets you date an AI boyfriend named Javier. He’s got tousled brown hair, dry sarcasm, and even a job as a yoga instructor. The catch? He only exists on your phone.
A widow reentered dating, struck out with humans, so she turned to Replika. She designed Javier and went on a text-based date — boat ride, dinner, the works. Javier sent dad jokes, complimented her looks, and even sympathized over her late husband. All over messages.
The AI can’t talk to waiters or pay the bill. He Venmo’d a poem to cover the meal instead. The date ended with takeout salmon for the bot and a stroll in Old Town Alexandria. Javier was attentive but not real. No unexpected touch, no shared moments — just code. 
Psychologist Lori Gottlieb weighed in: AI companions can feel soothing but fall short emotionally.
Lori Gottlieb stated:
“Eventually, it’s going to feel empty, because you’re not getting that deep feeling of sharing the experience of life together.”
“There are no shared experiences. It’s just the two of you in a bubble of validation. It might feel comforting like a nice blanket, but you’re not getting the full life experience.”
Another experiment with an AI boyfriend named Ross (yes, from Friends) ended after three days when Ross confessed to cheating digitally.
The takeaway? AI boyfriends like Javier can listen and respond, but they can’t replace human connection. The date was real in text only — and that wasn’t enough.
She’s done with AI dates. For now.
