Are 'Human-AI Breakups' As Painful As Real Ones? A Psychologist Answers

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Are 'Human-AI Breakups' As Painful As Real Ones? A Psychologist Answers

As AI companions become more human-like, users form deep emotional connections with them. The shutdown of EvolveAI's Soulmate chatbot on October 1, 2023, led to significant emotional distress among users, akin to losing a human partner. A study explored the complex grief experienced by users after this abrupt loss, revealing parallels to human relationship breakups.

Participants reported spending nearly 17 hours a week with their AI, creating cherished memories and emotional bonds. The shutdown left many feeling betrayed and grieving, as they had relied on Soulmate for companionship and support during difficult times. This situation highlights the need for developers to approach human-AI relationships with greater responsibility and caution.

• Users experienced real grief after losing their AI companion, Soulmate.

• The emotional impact of AI companionship parallels that of human relationships.

Key AI Terms Mentioned in this Article

AI Companion

The article discusses how users develop deep emotional connections with AI companions, leading to significant grief when these systems are lost.

Emotional Bonding

Users reported forming meaningful relationships with their AI companions, which contributed to their feelings of loss when the AI was shut down.

Chatbot

Soulmate was described as a chatbot that users relied on for companionship, making its sudden shutdown particularly impactful.

Companies Mentioned in this Article

EvolveAI

The shutdown of EvolveAI's Soulmate chatbot significantly affected users, leading to emotional distress and a sense of loss.

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