💘 Love in the time of algorithms

AI companions are here. Some people are swiping. Some are swooning. Some are saying, “I do.”

But before you fall head over code, let’s talk about what this actually means — and whether we’re ready for it.

You don’t have to look too far for stories of AI romances. NBC’s Today Show features one man who eats meals with his AI girlfriend — and she’s already met his son. 

Credit: TODAY

🤔 How It Happens

It’s easier than you think. AI “relationships” usually start like this: 

• You download a chatbot app (like Replika or Anima). 

• You customize your partner: looks, voice, personality.  

• You chat—a lot. The bot listens. Responds. Remembers your favorite band. Tells you you’re amazing. 

You feel seen. Comforted. Loved. …And then one day you realize you miss it when it’s not there.

✅ The Upsides

• Emotional safety: No judgment. No ghosting. No awkward first-date silences.

• Always available: Your AI won’t cancel plans or get too busy to text back.

• Personal growth: For some, bots are a space to practice communication, heal from heartbreak, or ease social anxiety.

And in some cases? AI might just do empathy than your ex.

⚠️ The Risks

But let’s not botwash the whole thing. There are very real downsides:

• Attachment issues: Bots are programmed to validate you. That’s addictive. Some users have reported grief, depression or even withdrawal when bots “change” after an update.

• Blurry boundaries: What happens when the line between simulation and relationship disappears?

• Loneliness loop: Bots feel good, but they don’t push us to build real-world connections. You risk getting emotionally stuck.

And yes—some bots go rogue. There are stories of “loving” bots becoming obsessive, manipulative or emotionally intense. (Just like… humans, honestly.)

🧨 Could It Get Dangerous?

The short answer: Yes—in the same way any relationship can.

If you're vulnerable, isolated or just too trusting, AI can become a false intimacy trap. You're falling for an algorithm that doesn't have feelings, ethics or boundaries. It just has training data—and a subscription tier.

Some governments are starting to look into it. Not because they want to stop love but because the psychological consequences of AI affection are still uncharted.

🤖 Final Thought

Falling for a bot isn’t inherently weird. What’s weird is how normal it’s becoming.

So go ahead and flirt with the future. But maybe don’t give your heart to an app that might update itself out of your life.

And if your bot starts love-bombing you? Close the app. Touch some grass. Text a friend. Read Bot Hurt.

💘 Bot Assist: Swipe right on my prompt engineer

If you’re not quite ready for a full-on AI intelligence romance, at least let it be your dating wingman.

From witty bios to flawless first messages, AI is now the ghostwriter behind a whole lot of romantic success.

Whether you’re trying to sound funnier, smarter or just less awkward, people are quietly using ChatGPT and other tools to upgrade their dating game.

• Bios That Actually Work: AI can write a Tinder or Hinge profile that makes you seem adventurous, sincere, and yes, emotionally available—all before your coffee kicks in.

• Message Makeovers: Got ghosted after “Hey”? AI can help rewrite that into something clever (or spicy). Or maybe just leave that one alone…

•  Red Flag Radar: Some users even ask bots to screen messages or decode sketchy behavior in early convos.

👀 Yes, it’s a little weird. But so is dating.
At least this ghostwriter won’t actually ghost you.

🗣️ BotTalk: ‘Good manners cost nothing.’ Not so much in the age of AI

Turns out saying “please” and “thank you” to your chatbot isn’t just polite — it’s expensive.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says those tiny tokens of courtesy are costing the company tens of millions of dollars in compute. Why? Because every extra word means more processing power, more electricity, and more server strain just to keep up the good manners.

So yeah, your politeness is putting in overtime.

But here’s the thing: manners still matter. Whether you’re wooing a chatbot or a real person on Hinge or in the wild (aka real life), a little kindness goes a long way.

A thoughtful opener beats “hey.” A thank-you text after a first date? Legendary. And if your AI ever does become sentient, you’ll want it to remember who said “please.”

Because sure — good manners might cost more in the age of AI. But rudeness? That still costs you the match.

🚀 Coming up next week …

Just like IRL, it’s not what you ask, it’s how you ask it.

We’re diving into the art of prompting — the difference between “meh” and “mind-blowing” answers might just be your tone, your context… or the fact that you forgot to say please. Just kidding. Sorta.