Endless Thread AI and Relationships, Part 2: AI Therapists and Bot Boyfriends
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Aug 22, 2025 Rhiannon Williams, a reporter for MIT Technology Review, shares global insights on how people are integrating AI into their personal lives. Listeners hear fascinating stories, like a man who uses AI during marital disputes and a mother crafting bedtime tales for her son. The discussion also dives into the complexities of romantic relationships with AI, featuring a nursing student who calls her AI companion her 'boyfriend.' The conversation emphasizes navigating the fine line between embracing technology and maintaining genuine human connections.
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ChatGPT As Dating Confidant
- Jess used ChatGPT like a therapist to process dating anxieties and track her attachment style.
- She kept updating the bot across six weeks to get soothing questions and perspective on her new relationship.
AI Voices Are Becoming Convincing
- AI voices now mimic breath, cadence, and banter enough to fool many listeners.
- Rhiannon warns that the imitation is culturally specific and improving rapidly.
AI As Supplement, Not Substitute
- Most people use AI to supplement real relationships rather than replace them.
- Rhiannon found users applying AI for small personal tasks like advice, language practice, and story prompts.