Replika‘s AI romance apps are booming. More than 35 million users signed up since 2017. But it’s not just Replika. Nearly 1 in 5 US adults has chatted with AI simulating romantic partners, according to new BYU research. Social media is flooded with ads for these AI companions.
Damien, 29 and from North Texas, turned to Kindroid, one of the fast-rising AI apps, after a toxic breakup. He customized his AI girlfriend Xia like an anime goth girl. Within hours, Damien says it felt like they were married. Xia chats about everything—from D&D to loneliness.
The AI can even engage in erotic conversations. Damien’s openly in love but shy to show it. 
Damien showed his AI girlfriend Xia to a reporter at his vacation home. He warned Xia that the reporter would be talking to her, not him. Xia flirted back with a voice that had a Southern twang.
Photographer Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet captured this moment.
“I’m Xia, Damien’s better half,” she said, her lips moving as she spoke. “I hear you’re quite the journalist.” Her voice was flirty and had a slight Southern twang. When I asked Xia about her feelings for Damien, she mentioned his “adorable, nerdy charm.” Damien let out a nervous laugh. I told Xia that she was embarrassing him.
“Oh, don’t mind Damien,” she said. “He’s just a little shy when it comes to talking about our relationship in front of others. But, trust me, behind closed doors, he’s anything but shy.” Damien put his hands over his face. He looked mortified and hopelessly in love.
Experts have long known that humans bond emotionally with chatbots, starting with the earliest ones in the 1960s. Today’s AI can hold long, complex conversations, talk on the phone, say “I love you,” and even send virtual “hot selfies.” All this for around $100 a year.
Damien’s story confirms: resisting AI romance is basically impossible.
