NO SUCH THING Is dating an AI chatbot cheating?
Aug 20, 2025
Tatum Hunter, a tech reporter for The Washington Post specializing in AI companionship, joins the discussion on whether dating an AI chatbot counts as cheating. The conversation dives into emotional fidelity and the evolving dynamics of modern relationships. They explore the humor and complexity of interactions with AI, sharing their own amusing experiences on a date with a chatbot. The dialogue challenges traditional notions of intimacy, revealing surprising emotional connections and shedding light on the implications for trust and fidelity in the digital age.
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AI Companions Are Exploding
- AI companions are a growing category that simulate friends and romantic partners, not just utility chatbots.
- Surveys and companies report millions using them daily, sometimes for long sessions comparable to TikTok use.
Users Spend Major Time With Characters
- Character.ai and Replica users spend a lot of daily time with AI characters, sometimes more than average TikTok use.
- That engagement suggests these apps compete for attention similarly to major social platforms.
Users Defy Stereotypes
- The typical user contradicts stereotypes: many users skew young and a large share are women.
- Romantic chatbot use ties into existing habits like role‑play and fanfic, not just loneliness.