Will an AI Girlfriend Make You Less Lonely or More

Real data, real risks, and how to use bots without losing yourself?

I was at a café when a guy at the following table whispered, “I’m proud of you.” No one else was there. Just him, a latte, and a lock screen with the name “Ivy.” Two minutes later, he smiled, kissed the phone, and tucked it away like a secret.

I told myself not to judge. Then I did what we all do: went home and fell a rabbit hole. Turns out “Ivy” isn’t alone. She has millions of cousins—AI companions designed to flirt, listen, soothe, and never roll their eyes when you get dramatic.

Behind the memes and the snarky headlines, there’s real money, real regulation, and real mental health questions shaping this moment.

And the answer to “Is this good or bad?” isn’t simple. It’s messier—and more human—than that.

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