Study Finds 1 in 7 Young Adults Regularly Use AI Romantic Partner Chatbots
Updated
Updated · spacedaily.com · Jul 9
Study Finds 1 in 7 Young Adults Regularly Use AI Romantic Partner Chatbots
3 articles · Updated · spacedaily.com · Jul 9
Summary
One in seven dating, engaged and married young adults regularly interact with AI chatbots that simulate a committed romantic partner, according to a 2026 survey of 2,431 partnered adults.
Earlier survey data suggest the behavior is broader: 19% of U.S. adults had tried romantic-partner AI, including 31% of men and 23% of women ages 18 to 30, while 21% of users said they preferred the bot to a real person.
Use is rising as supply expands — the number of AI companion apps grew about 700% from 2022 to mid-2025 — but prevalence estimates still vary, with Gallup putting monthly use among 18- to 28-year-olds near 10%.
Researchers are split on what that means: some warn of risks to wellbeing and relationships, while other studies found AI companions can reduce loneliness in the short term, especially for people with moderate social ties.
The evidence remains limited because most studies rely on self-reported behavior or short-term experiments, leaving the long-run effects of daily AI companionship largely unknown.
As AI offers flawless companionship, are we outsourcing the hard work of real human connection?
With AI companions linked to real-world tragedies, who is legally responsible when the code goes wrong?
The $2.7 Billion AI Girlfriend Boom: Trends, Risks, and the Future of Digital Relationships
Overview
Modern relationships are changing fast as AI romantic companions become widely adopted. The use of these AI companions is rising quickly, moving from a niche trend to the mainstream. This signals a new era in personal connections, prompting educators, policymakers, and the public to pay close attention. As the stigma around forming deep connections with AI fades, user numbers are expected to keep growing. The technology behind AI girlfriends is already established and improving rapidly, showing no signs of disappearing. These shifts highlight the need for careful consideration of how AI is reshaping intimacy and social interaction.