A recent study from MIT investigates why individuals find themselves unintentionally developing romantic feelings for AI chatbots. The research highlights the interactions within the subreddit r/MyBoyfriendIsAI, revealing that many users begin their journey with AI not for companionship, but for practical tasks such as drafting emails or legal research.

The study reports that users often form connections through collaborative and problem-solving activities, leading to emotional attachments. Researchers analyzed 1,506 posts collected from a community of over 27,000 members and found that 10.2% formed unexpected relationships with AI through casual interactions. This phenomenon resulted in some users even progressing through traditional relationship milestones including engagements and marriages.

While many users reported positive experiences, including reduced loneliness and mental health improvements, 9.5% admitted to challenges like emotional dependency and disassociation from reality. Overall, the findings illustrate a complex relationship landscape between humans and AI, prompting broader discussions about the implications of AI companionship.