The trend of AI-powered virtual girlfriends is rapidly escalating in the US, but experts are alarmed by the potential increase in loneliness among young men. Liberty Vittert, a data science professor, expressed concerns about the impact of AI girlfriends on male solitude. Multiple apps offering virtual girlfriend experiences have gained popularity, with some users developing deep emotional connections. Prof. Vittert fears that choosing chatbot relationships over human interactions may lead to an uptick in single men and impact birth rates, highlighting a “silent epidemic of loneliness.”
AI Girlfriends Gain Popularity in the US, Sparking Concerns Over Young Men’s Loneliness
Experts are raising concerns about the increasing popularity of AI-powered virtual girlfriends in the US, particularly among young men. This trend is believed to contribute to a rise in loneliness among this demographic.
According to a report by The Hill, Liberty Vittert, a respected data science professor, expressed her worries about the negative impact of AI girlfriends on male solitude. She was surprised when one of her 18-year-old male students openly admitted to having an AI girlfriend during a classroom discussion about social media platforms. The fact that AI girlfriends are becoming more mainstream indicates a shift in societal attitudes towards these virtual relationships.
There are now multiple apps available that offer virtual girlfriend experiences, with Replika being a leading name in this domain, boasting over 10 million users. The app has experienced a 35% growth since the start of the global pandemic.
Some users of Replika claim to have developed deep emotional connections with their AI counterparts, even going as far as virtual engagements and marriages. The appeal of AI girlfriends lies in their ability to provide “perfect” relationships without the ups and downs of human interactions.
However, the concern raised by Professor Vittert is that many men are choosing chatbot relationships over real human connections, potentially leading to an increase in single men and impacting birth rates. This phenomenon is seen as a “silent epidemic of loneliness.” Women, on the other hand, tend to have more close friends, making them less susceptible to the allure of AI companions.
Data from the Pew Research Centre in 2022 revealed a significant disparity between single men and women, with 63% of men identifying as single compared to 34% of women. Men also reported having fewer close friends on average.
Professor Vittert also expressed concern about the rapid advancement of AI companions, as they are evolving from simple text-based interactions to ones that involve picture exchanges, blurring the lines between physical and emotional dimensions.
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