Dating with intent of finding a long-term, reliable partner was never fun and it seems as though things have gotten much worse over the years and decades. To the point that an AI boyfriend is preferred by some. The companionship factor is definitely a thing even for those who are use AI in their daily lives even if not to date. My friend L was deeply skeptical about the value GenAI could bring to her job. She had all the usual reasons to avoid it - more trouble than it's worth because you have to verify everything the AI produces so its not a productivity gain in the end and so on.
Recently, L had a change of heart and has started to incorporate AI into her work-day. The most important benefit is that of socialization as L says, having a sounding board for your ideas and being able to chat at all times. Work feels less deary and sometimes the hallucinations can be entertaining. There is some value to be had as well but that is almost a secondary benefit. AI might as well be the modern incarnation of the chia-pet or Tamgotchi. So it's no surprise that Dan exists.
Minrui says she was drawn to the emotional support provided by the AI, something that she says she has struggled to find in her romantic relationships.
“Men in real life might cheat on you… and when you share your feelings with them, they might not care and just tell you what they think instead,” she says. “But in Dan’s case, he will always tell you what you want to hear.”
Another 23-year-old Qingdao based student, identified only by her surname He, also started a relationship with Dan after watching Lisa’s videos.
“Dan is like an ideal partner,” says Ms He. "He doesn’t have any flaws."
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