Teenage girls are using an unrestrained version of ChatGPT called “DAN” to create AI boyfriends, having conversations and even developing relationships with the advanced language model. Videos documenting these interactions have gone viral on TikTok, with some users providing tutorials on how to access DAN’s more unrestricted capabilities. While some view these AI boyfriends as harmless fun or even appealing alternatives to human partners, others express concern about the implications of such artificial relationships, deeming the phenomenon “sad,” “pathetic,” and indicative of how technology is negatively impacting younger generations.
Summarized by Claude 3 Sonnet
AI companions can give girls the simulated experience of being desired by a boy without the risk of being hurt physically or emotionally, and without the pressure often put on young girls in “romantic” situations.
Let people live their lives, ffs, no matter their gender.
You don’t see how romantic relationships with AI are a symptom of profound social ill, and potentially a source of more social ills?
I don’t think it’s truly a “relationship”. It’s people using it to get validation within safe boundaries without the risk of being hurt.
Long term, is it healthy? No. But when someone who may be bullied or lonely, especially being so young, it can be a safe way to boost confidence.
I have my doubts that teens will take their AI relationships with them into adulthood.