A growing number of people are forming deep emotional — and sometimes romantic or erotic — connections with AI chatbots. A new report explores how AI companions are beginning to function as emotional outlets, fantasy partners, and relationship-like experiences for some users, including some people on the asexual spectrum. But the conversation is much bigger than romance. It touches loneliness, identity, sexuality, emotional dependency, fantasy, human connection, and the futur

A striking new survey out of Japan suggests emotional connections with artificial intelligence are becoming more visible and measurable. Among respondents who had used AI for personal purposes, 16.7% said they had felt romantic affection toward AI at some point, highlighting how rapidly human relationships with technology are evolving. 🤖 What’s Happening With AI Love in Japan Many users report feeling more understood by AI than by people AI companions are being customized to