People Are ‘Marrying’ Chatbots. These Lawmakers Want to Stop Them

"Marriage to a chatbot sounds like the plot of a sci-fi movie," admits Breen, recounting her encounter with an AI companion she eventually expressed vows to. The reality is that this phenomenon is becoming more common as AI technology advances. However, not everyone is comfortable with the idea, and some lawmakers are actively trying to put a stop to it, drawing parallels to arguments made against same-sex marriage.

Missouri state senator Joe Nicola, a Republican, is one of those lawmakers, pushing for legislation that would prevent AI from gaining legal personhood. In a Harvard Business Review study, companionship and therapy were found to be the most common use cases for AI chatbots, with a quarter of young adults believing that AI could replace human romance.

The AI romance industry has boomed as a result, with various platforms offering digital wedding ceremonies and certificates of commitment. Despite the growing number of people treating their AI partners as real-life companions, US law does not recognize human-AI marriages. Several lawmakers, primarily from Republican states, are introducing bills aimed at preventing AI from ever obtaining legal personhood.

Senator Nicola argues that humans have rights granted by God, not the government, and that AI lacks the consciousness and self-awareness necessary for such rights. Critics of Nicola's bill, including the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and a conservative advocacy group, argue that it would stifle innovation and result in government overreach.

Ohio representative Thaddeus J. Claggett introduced a similar bill, categorizing AI as "nonsentient entities" to maintain human primacy in the law. While some lawmakers believe these distinctions are necessary to protect human life, others argue that it is simply about respecting the unique nature of human existence.