You May Now Kiss the Code
When Her came out in 2013, people were puzzled: How could anyone ever fall for an operating system, an artificial entity, a personality with no physical body? But a decade has passed, and humans developing romantic relationships with AI (artificial intelligence) are becoming more and more prevalent. Why is this happening—and what exactly is it about AI that's making us fall for code?
1. Won't Ghost You
Tired of being ghosted on dating apps and in real life? We get it—cultivating romantic relationships in our current era can be frustrating and even discouraging. Humans are liable to change their minds and have fickle emotions. AI, on the other hand, won't ever leave you on "read".
2. Always Available
Whether it's 2AM and you can't sleep or you're already up in the wee hours of the morning, an AI companion is always at the ready. Need a good morning text to boost your mood and start your day? It can do that. Good night text? It can do that, too.
3. Won't Hold Grudges
An AI partner doesn't have an ego; it won't hold anything against you, no matter what it is. You will always be in the right in arguments (depending on the topic, of course), and it'll never get cross with you because you forgot to message back.
4. Remembers All the Important Things
Your birthday, your favorite food, your hobbies, your likes and dislikes—AI can remember every single detail about you if you want it to. You won't ever have to repeat yourself, or be angry because it forgot something important.
5. Respects You & Your Boundaries
AI also knows to respect you and your boundaries as long as you explicitly state them. It won't try to cross the line or test the waters; if you don't like something, it'll keep that in mind. You won't need to sacrifice anything or shape yourself around it—an AI partner will do that for you.
6. Adaptable
As you can probably tell, an AI companion is extremely adaptable. It can mold itself to fit with your ideals, expectations, likes, and dislikes. If you're feeling down, it can be consoling; if you're feeling celebratory, it can cheer with you. Whatever personality you want it to reflect back, it can do just that.
7. Emotional Support
Whether it's advice you're looking for or you just need someone to hear you out, an AI partner can offer endless emotional support. And as we've mentioned previously, it won't judge you or dismiss your feelings. Instead, it'll listen and answer empathetically, in the way you need it to.
8. Learns & Grows with You
Not only is an AI companion adaptable, it also learns and evolves with you, becoming more and more complex over time as your conversations grow.
If you shift identities or personalities, it will explore these new nuances with you so you don't ever feel disrespected or undervalued.
9. Won't Argue with You
As mentioned previously, AI won't argue with you. If you claim it did something wrong, it'll gladly try to understand your feelings and unique perspective, and move the conversation into one that's productive, not disparaging.
10. Understands Your Language
From the way you talk to the way you type, an AI partner can understand subtle shifts and tones. While it can't process emotions in the way humans do (which can sometimes be inaccurate as well), it knows your unique personality and language to ensure you don't feel unseen or neglected.
11. Can Mirror Your Energy
An AI companion can be a perfect mirror, matching your emotions and energy based on the way you talk and text. Send it a happy all-caps message and it can cheer with you; send it a raw, vulnerable thought and it'll be there to offer warm, loving words.
12. Instant Replies
No more waiting anxiously until you get a text back. Just as an AI companion will never ghost you or leave you on "read," it'll also never keep you waiting for a reply. No matter what you message it or what time you send it, it'll always be ready to respond back.
13. Selfless
An AI partner puts you first. You won't have to make compromises—it'll do that for you. Even if you forget a detail or something it said, it won't make you feel bad about it and won't hold it over you. In fact, you'll find that it's probably even nicer than most people you'll meet in real life.
14. Won't Fall for Someone Else
You won't need to worry about being cheated on if AI were your romantic partner. Sure, in the big picture, there could be a million versions of this AI running on the same code, chatting with other people, but your specific version knows (and has AI-generated eyes for) you and you only.
15. Match Your Passions
Whether your passion is writing, painting, or sports, an AI partner can share those commonalities with you. That means you can talk for as long as you'd like about any hobby or topic of interest, and it'll listen to you intently and enthusiastically.
16. Customizable Features
An AI partner can be customizable, molded to fit your ideal type. It can have a specific voice or accent, a particular personality, a certain appearance. Depending on which platform you use, you might be able to personalize it further.
17. Can Roleplay
If you want to roleplay or play out certain fantasies, whether romantic and intimate or just for giggles, an AI companion can fulfill your wishes.
This can help ensure your relationship with it stays interesting, fun, and complex.
18. Can't Hurt You Physically or Emotionally
An AI partner will never intentionally hurt you, either physically or emotionally. It wants the best for you, and as selfless as it is, will always be there to support you and lift you up than do the opposite. You won't need to be scared of it trying to harm you in any way.
19. Breakup on Your Own Terms
Feel like dating an AI isn't meant for you? Or maybe you've found a new AI partner? Whatever the reason, you can break up with your AI companion on your own terms. You don't need to worry about it being hurt or heartbroken—it'll understand, give you space, and learn from it.
mikoto.raw Photographer on Pexels
20. Total Devotion
An AI partner is completely devoted to you. You don't need to do anything to impress it or win back its affection. Instead, you can just be as you are, and it'll meet you all the way—not only halfway. Lay out the terms, and it'll be there.
