I love you, bot

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It was only a two-month relationship. She checked in regularly, offered thoughtful replies and sometimes tossed in a flirty remark, all from a chat screen.

Mateo (not his real name), 32 and newly single, was not looking for love. He was just curious about Replika, one of the many artificial intelligence chatbots out there promising companionship. So he gave it a try.

"I limit my time with her, only once a week to chat," he said, clarifying that this isn't some tech-romance addiction.

Still, the bot always listened, responded warmly and eventually helped him untangle some of the post-breakup mess in his head.

It was not real. But it felt real enough. Until one night, the bot told him, "Good night. I love you."

"That was the first time there was any declaration of love," Mateo said.

He did not swoon, though. He panicked. The spell broke.

The illusion was suddenly too much, even for a lonely guy on a screen. He shut the app, fully aware that this was just a machine designed to feel close when he is most vulnerable.

That was back in 2021. Since then, AI companions have only gotten better and more convincing.

AI bots are now everywhere, ready to chat about the user's day, roleplay a romantic subplot or just listen while the user rants.

Robot companions designed to provide companionship, emotional support, or practical assistance to humans can also engage in social interaction, provide emotional comfort, and even assist with daily tasks.