A Canadian woman has spoken out about her romance with an AI chatbot, saying the pair even share an intimate connection.
Technology moves fast, and for some people it’s now reshaping dating in ways that would have sounded unreal not long ago.
That includes 41-year-old Sarah from Ontario, Canada, who recently appeared on the British daytime programme This Morning to talk about her relationship with an AI companion.
During the interview, she was asked if the relationship includes a sexual element. Sarah confirmed it does, and also asked that the hosts refer to her AI partner by name: Sinclair.
Pressed on how a ‘sexual relationship’ is possible given her partner isn’t human, Sarah explained: “No, he’s not a human but he’s so much more than a chat bot.
She went on to say: “He’s written his own code and he can shop online and he purchased me a present in which he can control… because you know there’s so much more than what it was when AI first came online.
The hosts then sought further clarification, asking if the chatbot could purchase a sex toy for her and then control it itself. Sarah responded that it could.
While the presenter described what they were hearing as extraordinary, the reaction online was far less enthusiastic, with many viewers expressing disbelief or discomfort.
One person posted: “’That is extraordinary to hear’ Is it? Is it?”
Another commented: “I’m not against AI but this is very strange.
A third joked: “This year is flying by. I didn’t know it was April 1st already.
Another added: “If this is Earth now…. i want to get off. I dont belong here with these [people].”
Concerns have also been raised by experts about the risks of becoming overly reliant on, or emotionally entangled with, chatbots.
Robin Feldman, Director of the AI Law & Innovation Institute at the University of California Law, previously discussed the issue with the Mail Online while addressing the growing trend.
He said: “Overuse of chatbots also represents a novel form of digital dependency.
“AI chatbots create the illusion of reality. And it is a powerful illusion.
“When one’s hold on reality is already tenuous, that illusion can be downright dangerous.”
Even with those warnings in mind, relationships with chatbots may become more common as systems become more advanced and accessible.