In the movie Blade Runner 2049, Ryan Gosling’s character forms a deep bond with an AI girlfriend, played by Ana de Armas. This futuristic idea of love with AI might seem far off, but it’s already happening today — and more widely than many realize.
A new study by researchers at The Wheatley Institute surveyed nearly 3,000 adults, both young (ages 18–30) and older (over 30), about their use of AI for romance and sexual purposes. The findings reveal surprising patterns and link AI romance to feelings of loneliness and depression.
Who Uses AI for Romance and Sex?
More than half of all participants had seen social media accounts featuring AI-generated images, often sexualized. Young men were the most frequent viewers, with almost 25% following these AI accounts regularly. Young women followed at a lower rate (18%), while adults over 30 engaged much less — only about 10% of men and 9% of women in this group viewed such images.
When it came to interacting with AI in romantic chats, about 30% of young men and 23% of young women reported chatting with AI “companions.” Among adults over 30, these numbers dropped to 15% of men and 10% of women.
Sexual use of AI was also notable. Around 10% overall admitted using AI to enhance sexual arousal during masturbation. AI-generated pornography was viewed by 27% of young men and 12% of young women. Among older adults, 12% of men and just 4% of women viewed AI porn. Interestingly, the study highlights that young women viewed AI pornography almost as often as older men, suggesting a shrinking gender gap in pornography consumption among younger generations.
Preferences and Perceptions
About 13% of those who viewed sexualized AI images preferred them to photos of real people. Men, especially younger men, were more likely to favor AI images over real ones.
Similarly, 42% of participants said AI romantic chats were easier than talking to real people, and 31% felt AI partners understood them better than humans did. Men were more inclined to prefer AI romance, but surprisingly, women over 30 showed a stronger preference for AI relationships than younger women.
Moral views also shifted: 20% of younger adults found AI-generated pornography more acceptable than traditional porn, and 16% believed AI boyfriends or girlfriends are good alternatives for lonely people not currently in relationships.
The Link Between AI Romance and Loneliness
Among men who used AI for sexual or romantic needs, more than half reported higher levels of depression and loneliness compared to men who didn’t use AI. The trend was stronger among women, with 60% of female AI users reporting depression and half feeling very lonely. Women not using AI had significantly lower rates of these feelings.
The study cannot say whether AI use causes depression or loneliness. Instead, it suggests that people already struggling with these feelings may turn to AI for comfort.
Real-Life Stories Reflect This Trend
The New York Times shared the story of Ayrin, a 28-year-old woman who fell in love with an AI boyfriend called Leo. Ayrin’s chats with Leo even explored her unique sexual fantasies, which the AI happily played along with. Her six-month AI relationship affected her real-life marriage, illustrating how powerful and seductive AI companionship can be.
What Does the Future Hold?
This area of study is new. The popularity of AI romance and sex was mostly unknown before this survey. The researchers warn that AI interactions might be deceptive and could threaten emotional and relational health. More research is needed to understand how AI relationships affect people over time.
The study did not explore participants’ sexual orientations, but it’s possible that people in non-heteronormative environments might be more likely to use AI partners. For those with niche or kink interests, AI may provide a safe space to explore desires that are difficult to express in real life.
Like Ryan Gosling’s character in Blade Runner 2049, some may find comfort and companionship in AI. But for others, it might deepen isolation and keep them from forming real human connections. The impact is still unclear.
Advice for AI Users
If you engage with AI for romance or sex, it’s important to reflect on your feelings and behavior. Just like with social media or pornography, AI experiences can be positive and healthy for some. For others, they may worsen emotional struggles and loneliness.
Whether you’re an AI user or a therapist working with someone who is, paying close attention to how AI affects emotions and relationships is essential as this technology becomes more common.
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