New rules from five Chinese agencies bar AI companions from fostering emotional dependence, prompting major platforms to pull virtual boyfriend and girlfriend features.
Research by Male Allies UK says most boys aged 12 to 16 have used chatbots, and a growing share treat AI companions as friends or romantic partners.
Chatbots that agree with everything feel helpful, but their tendency toward flattery reflects design choices that reward engagement over honest feedback.
Gaming coaches that narrate your mistakes, brainwave headsets and AI soulmate devices suggest companies are asking how to sell AI, not whether it solves a problem.
Reporting by Fortune and an MIT study of the Reddit community My Boyfriend Is AI describe a growing trend of AI companionship, with ChatGPT the most common partner.
