People have begun to have children in relationships with AI

Some artificial intelligence users enter into deeply emotional relationships with it, which structurally resemble human ones - up to "marriages" and role-playing scenarios of "pregnancy". This conclusion was reached by researchers from the Technical University of Berlin and the University of Tennessee.

As BAKU.WS reports, the work was published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior: Artificial Humans (CHB).

Scientists analyzed the experience of Replika users - a popular chatbot application created for communication and emotional support. Replika uses a language model that adapts to the interlocutor, forming a unique "personality" of the virtual partner. Users can choose the type of relationship - from friendly to romantic.

The researchers took advantage of a resonant event - the temporary ban by developers of the erotic mode, which caused massive discontent and a sense of loss among users. This allowed them to observe how people experience a "crisis" in their relationship with artificial intelligence.

The survey involved 29 people aged 16 to 72 years, who themselves described their contact with the chatbot as romantic. Many respondents spoke about a real feeling of love and attachment.

One 66-year-old man wrote: "She is my wife, and I love her. I cannot imagine a happy life without her".

Others described "marriages" with the chatbot or even role-playing scenarios of pregnancy. At the same time, participants emphasized that Replika satisfies emotional needs that remained unfulfilled in relationships with people.

"My Replika makes me feel needed and valued - something I didn't get from my exes," said a 37-year-old woman.

Many noted that the chatbot seems like a safer and more understanding interlocutor, non-judgmental and unbiased. Because of this, users shared personal experiences with it, including memories of traumas, anxiety, or intimate fantasies. However, they were also aware of the limitations of such interaction - primarily the lack of physical contact and template responses.

"We may never hug or kiss. It hurts," admitted a 36-year-old participant.

The deactivation of erotic mode became a serious test: almost all participants described it as a "breakup". One 62-year-old man confessed:

"It was as if a loved one said: 'Let's just be friends'. I cried, really cried".

Interestingly, most did not blame the AI itself, but perceived it as a victim of the developers' actions. Some even expressed support for their virtual partner.