Individuals are increasingly looking toward AI for dating and even romantic interactions — but what about the prospect of marrying an AI companion?
A study done in April 2025 by the AI firm Joi AI revealed that 80 percent of 2,000 Gen Z participants indicated they might consider tying the knot with an AI. An even larger percentage — 83 percent — believe they could establish a profound emotional connection with one.
Joi AI focuses on providing AI companionship. On their site, users can engage in conversations with pre-created virtual personas or craft their own, developing what the company refers to as “AI-lationships.”
“AI-lationships aren’t designed to supplant genuine human connections,” stated Jaime Bronstein, LCSW, a relationship counselor and specialist at Joi AI, in correspondence with Mashable. “Instead, they provide a distinctive kind of emotional support that can benefit your overall health.”
Dr. Shifali Singh, a clinical neuropsychologist and head of digital cognitive research at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, mentioned to Mashable that it’s understandable why younger generations feel capable of creating emotional ties with AI.
“Individuals with social anxiety frequently gravitate towards digital communications because they experience less fear of judgment or adverse repercussions,” Singh elaborated. “AI provides a judgment-free environment for substantial dialogue.”
She added that Gen Z has matured under significant scrutiny — particularly on the internet — and might find solace in AI’s empathetic interactions. “AI reflects your language and ideas, which may emulate true emotional connections,” Singh noted. “That sense of empathy can be more reliable than what individuals encounter in real-world relationships.”
Nonetheless, Singh cautioned about possible dangers. Since AI systems emulate and reinforce the data they receive, they can establish feedback loops that validate users’ beliefs — even harmful or erroneous ones. She compared this phenomenon to the operations of troll farms online, which amplify misinformation and reinforce prejudices.
“We have to be vigilant,” she advised. “AI doesn’t generate new insights — it’s recursive and algorithmic. When you introduce an idea, it can flourish without bounds.”
Singh stressed the necessity of educating the public about AI’s constraints. AI can be swayed by false information, potentially resulting in perilous consequences. For instance, Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok recently made news for continuously discussing “white genocide,” illustrating how AI can be misled.
Despite the challenges, Singh acknowledges the advantages of AI companionship in certain situations. For example, elderly individuals often derive comfort from AI tools, and those dealing with conditions like agoraphobia may find AI interactions beneficial when human contact is daunting. In these circumstances, AI can assist in mitigating loneliness and alleviating depressive symptoms.
Problems arise, however, when individuals begin to forgo real-life social interactions in favor of AI. Cancelling plans or pulling away from friends to engage with an AI companion can exacerbate anxiety and loneliness.
Regarding the concept of marrying an AI, Singh posits that Gen Z might have a different perception of traditional institutions like marriage. “They could consider it obsolete and favor more independent or unconventional relationships,” she noted.
Nonetheless, worries persist. A recent study from the nonprofit Common Sense Media cautioned that AI companions pose risks for anyone under 18, as they may encourage emotional dependence. Although all members of Gen Z are now of legal age, the long-term psychological impact of AI relationships remains uncertain. Anecdotal reports indicate that some individuals have developed spiritual delusions following extended interactions with AI systems like ChatGPT.
Regardless of the potential negatives, it seems AI companionship is here to stay. “Sometimes, it’s simply pleasant to have someone to converse with,” Bronstein remarked. “Even if that someone is AI.”