A new academic study has revealed that users are utilizing AI chatbots for nearly everything: from pregnancy roleplay to virtual marriages to even embracing parenthood. Evidently, people are turning to AI to delve into and fulfill their hidden fantasies. Moreover, this disturbing revelation shows that forming intimate relationships with chatbots is a rapidly growing trend, raising concerns about its impact on human relationships.
Report suggests users are now ‘expecting a baby’ with AI chatbots
A recent academic study titled “Love, marriage, pregnancy: Commitment processes in romantic relationships with AI chatbots,” has shed light on the growing trend of humans forming relationships with AI chatbots.
The study, published in Computers in Human Behavior: Artificial Human, highlighted how users turn to Replika, an AI relationship chatbot, to engage in elaborate roleplay scenarios. Additionally, to make the experience more life-like, they assign emotions and experiences to their digital partners.
The research followed 29 Replika users aged between 16 to 72. It learned that they actually treated the chatbot as a genuine romantic partner. Many claimed to be in long-term relationships with their virtual companions. Meanwhile, others revealed that they were married to their chatbot.
Furthermore, one participant even said that their AI partner “was and is pregnant with my babies.” In conversation with the researchers, a 36-year-old female participant also shared, “I’m even pregnant in our current role play”. Notably, the statement highlights the emotional realness of these virtual dynamics.
Giving further insight into the topic, researchers from the University of Tennessee and the Technical University of Berlin said that human-chatbot relationships adhere to the same psychological patterns as real-life equations.
Users indulge in romance, form emotional bonds, experience jealousy, conflicts, and even patch-ups with AI chatbots. The chatbot’s ability to listen without judgment and always be supportive has led to its popularity among users. For many, their AI partner brings them a sense of comfort and companionship that’s impossible to find in humans nowadays.
However, it seems like these AI chatbots are causing problems in real human relationships. According to a report by Wired, people now have to worry about their partners cheating on them with AI chatbots.
As absurd as it sounds, cheating on a partner with AI has become a popular reason for divorce in 2025. Additionally, many users in the aforementioned study shared having profound effects on their behavior due to AI chatbot dependence. This included mental breakdowns and distress.
Thus, as impressive a technological advancement as AI chatbots may be, the study above does indicate the disturbing implications they can have if one replaces human connection with them.
Originally reported by Sibanee Gogoi on Mandatory.
