AI has emerged as a prominent force in the domain of romance in 2025, and it is anticipated to expand further in 2026, based on insights from a leading sex toy retailer. The TwentyTwentySex report by Lovehoney, the foremost sexual wellness retailer in the UK, indicates that 25% of Gen Z and 26% of millennials have already engaged in conversations about sex with AI. A greater number of individuals are seeking guidance from AI (52%) compared to friends (32%) or partners (22%), according to a survey of 2,022 participants.

The report shows that AI is increasingly being regarded as a sexual therapist, with young men being more likely to consult AI regarding sexual matters (30% of Gen Z men and 34% of millennial men). While obtaining advice from AI like ChatGPT might appear innocuous, experts warn against relying on AI as a therapist due to possible hazards, including detrimental feedback cycles.

Lovehoney’s report posits that 2026 will witness a significant transformation in the ways individuals seek direction, affirmation, and connection, coining this phenomenon as “digital threesomes.” Nevertheless, this does not suggest that individuals will literally engage with AI in personal scenarios.

At the same time, there is a shift away from digital connections towards face-to-face interactions. In-person dating events are gaining traction, with singles participating in speed dating, coffee shop dates, running clubs, and other activity-driven social gatherings. Lovehoney observes that as dating app fatigue reaches unprecedented levels, an increasing number of singles are opting for real-life interactions. Thirty percent of Gen Z have met partners via dating apps, in comparison to 35% of millennials.

Sexologist Elisabeth Neumann, the head of user research at Lovehoney, remarks that as dating apps decline, there is a revival of analogue intimacy, including office romances and speed-dating nights. This pattern is in stark contrast to technological progress, where technology itself beckons us through AI dating coaches, digital threesomes, and fantasy-driven escapism.