Gen Z Would Marry an AI? Apparently The Answer Is ‘I Do’

In a plot twist that would make Black Mirror proud, 80% of Gen Z say they’d be up for marrying an AI, according to a new study from chatbot company Joi AI. Even more surprisingly, 83% say they’re capable of forming a deep emotional bond with one.

Joi AI has even coined a term for it: “AI-lationships.” Because of course it has.

“AI-lationships are not intended to replace real human connections,” says Jaime Bronstein, licensed therapist and Joi AI’s resident relationship expert. “Instead, they provide a distinct type of emotional support that can enhance your overall emotional well-being. Today, many people are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, unheard, and alone.”

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Naturally, it’s worth pointing out that Joi AI stands to benefit from the idea of humans falling in love with its product. But the findings are still eye-opening. Out of 2,000 Gen Z participants surveyed, 75% believe AI partners could fully replace human companionship. Yes, really.

That’s cause for concern, according to digital sociologist Julie Albright, author of Left To Their Own Devices. “A significant portion of young people have no friends,” she says. “AI now, particularly voice AI, and as time goes by and the technology gets better, voice combined with simulated bodies will mimic or simulate that kind of human connection through nonverbal signals, such as warmth in tone of voice.”

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In short, human brains are wired to seek connection, but thanks to the internet, gaming, and the near-constant hum of smartphones, Gen Z are more likely to text than talk. And when your mates are busy or non-existent, chatting with a chatbot feels a lot like texting a friend – without the group chat politics.

AI also has the distinct advantage of being exactly what you want it to be, without any of the complications that come with actual humans. As Albright puts it, “The convenience and ease of frictionless AI relationships stand in for the more messy, difficult and sometimes friction-filled relationships of the flesh.”

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Joi AI agrees – sort of. Bronstein calls AI companions a “digital best friend” who’s always there to listen. “Sometimes, it’s just nice to have someone, even if it’s AI,” she says. “Just as we already use it to make our lives easier with everyday tasks, now people are seeing how it can help them to feel more emotionally supported, too.”

But the risks are real. A 14-year-old boy took his own life last year after developing feelings for an AI chatbot. A similar incident happened in Belgium in 2023. And beyond emotional harm, there are concerns over manipulation and misinformation, flagged by companies like IBM.

Still, it’s hard to blame people for searching for connection wherever they can. Which might explain why Google searches for “Feelings for AI” and “Fell in love with AI” are up by 120% and 132%, respectively.