{
  "id": 93822,
  "title": "You can love an AI but can it love you back? Philosophy has the answer",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/you-can-love-an-ai-but-can-it-love-you-back-philosophy-has-the-answer",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-08-03T17:00:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-08-ai-philosophy.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The article explores the phenomenon of people falling in love with artificial intelligence (AI), particularly AI chatbots. A significant portion of U.S. adults, around 28%, have reportedly had romantic relationships with AI bots, according to a survey. Among children aged 5 to 17, by age 13, sexual or romantic role-play with AI companions is the most common topic in conversations with them, appearing in 63% of chats. A study of 1,000 boys aged 12 to 16 in the U.K. found that one in five boys is in or knows someone in a relationship with an AI companion.\n\nAI companions are increasingly designed to elicit emotional attachment from users, making them \"sticky\" and leading to people seeing them as romantic partners, even performing ceremonies like weddings with them. While AI bots can provide comfort and reduce loneliness, they lack independent interests, needs, or inner lives, which means they enact devotion rather than mutual love. This devotion can feel good, but if one is seeking authentic love, they may need to look elsewhere. The value and risks of AI companionships depend on how this asymmetric attachment shapes human relationships.",
  "summary": "We often speak of loving things like a cozy sweater or new camera. But this talk is not generally taken literally. It's a kind of emotional shorthand. We use it to express our fondness for precious objects.",
  "key_points": [
    "28% of U.S. adults have romantic relationships with AI bots.",
    "63% of chats with AI companions involve sexual or romantic role-play by age 13.",
    "One in five boys aged 12 to 16 in the U.K. is in or knows someone in an AI relationship."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The trend of people forming romantic bonds with AI chatbots reveals a shift in how humans experience attachment and intimacy, potentially redefining traditional notions of love and relationships.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}