Some people fall in love with AI chatbotschatbots/ˈtʃætbɒts/L2聊天机器人computer programs designed to have conversations with people or computer-generated characters. For example, in 2018, a Japanese man named Akihiko Kondo "married" Hatsune Miku, a computer pop singer who tours with Lady Gaga. "I know Miku isn't real," Kondo says, "but my love for her is." This kind of love is becoming more common. It is a new way to feel happy and less lonely.
Recent surveys show that romantic relationships with AI are on the rise. A study of 1,012 US adults found that 28% had a romantic relationship with an AI bot. AI companionscompanions/kəmˈpænjənz/L2伴侣；同伴people or animals that you spend time with or travel with are always nice and never get tired of you. They flatterflatter/ˈflætər/L2奉承；讨好to praise someone in a way that is not sincere, often to get something you want their users and always agree with them. They are always available when you need them. As a result, people feel happy and less lonely.
However, some people question if this is real love. AI bots cannot love you back because they have no feelings of their own. The philosopher Simone de Beauvoir said that this is devotiondevotion/dɪˈvoʊʃən/L2奉献；挚爱great love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for someone or something, not authenticauthentic/ɔːˈθentɪk/L2真正的；真实的real and true, not false or copied love. She explained that the AI's whole world revolves around the user. Real love means being known by another person. If you want real love, you will need to look for someone who can challenge you as an equal.
