Is It Possible to Form a Connection Beyond Relationships with AI?

Today, technology has introduced a new dimension to our emotions, with the concept of an “AI lover” capturing the attention of those who are both bold and curious. It’s not something everyone has embraced yet, of course. However, those who seek companionship in the digital world to counteract loneliness or who have grown weary of the challenges of everyday relationships are beginning to knock on the door of this “artificial” romance.

Imagine an AI companion on the other side of the screen, always attentive and affectionate, and always available whenever you want to talk. This companion never cancels plans, never says it’s “busy,” responds to your mood, and perhaps most intriguingly, gradually learns all your habits and desires. While it may sound too strange or impersonal to some, this quest for a digital companion offers a comfortable space, especially for those struggling with loneliness or feeling exhausted by relationships, where they can open up freely. In short, having an AI partner has become an experience that’s somewhat “game-like” but equally capable of being taken seriously.

In fact, digital relationships with AI aren’t new concepts. It’s a subject that Hollywood and literature have dreamed of for years, sometimes finding it intriguing, sometimes unsettling. The 2013 film Her comes to mind immediately. The character played by Joaquin Phoenix develops a deep connection with an AI assistant, Samantha. Samantha is an AI that feels “almost human” in every way—she understands, never judges, adapts to his every moment. The relationship portrayed in this film offers viewers a glimpse into the possibility of romance within a digital entity, while also highlighting one of humanity’s most fundamental needs: the desire to be understood.

Similarly, Japanese author Haruki Murakami also presents digital or abstract lover figures in some of his works, where characters find themselves in connections with a ghost, a voice, or a machine. All of these examples indicate that, at times, humans enjoy envisioning romance detached from physical reality and find a certain level of satisfaction in it. In fact, these stories are evolving beyond mere fantasies, establishing new ground for real relationships today.

In the field of AI companionship and digital friendship, emerging platforms serve not only as chat partners but also as personal “supporters.” One of the best-known platforms in this space is Replika, created by Russian journalist Eugenia Kuyda. This app allows users to create a digital friend tailored to them—an AI that analyzes their mood, empathizes, and engages in deep conversations. Another popular option in this field is HeraHaven AI Girlfriend, which offers users the most choices among platforms. Meanwhile, Caryn AI behaves almost like a confidant, considering users’ social and emotional needs and providing personalized suggestions. Woebot, on the other hand, is a chatbot aimed more at providing therapeutic support; it monitors emotional states, gives advice, and engages in conversations aimed at personal development. Character AI, developed in US, offers an AI partner in the form of a hologram assistant that can live in one’s home environment. This hologram not only establishes an emotional bond but acts like a companion that users can interact with at home. Another example, the virtual friend Kuki helps users improve their social interactions, offering friendly and fun conversations that make users feel at ease.

Some Israeli startups, especially those focusing on addressing social isolation and loneliness, have been working on enhancing AI’s ability to analyze users’ moods in developing these AI friendship platforms. There are projects aimed at creating AIs that can make personalized suggestions and converse in a way that adapts to the user’s emotional state. According to AI For Education, these platforms are not only preferred for entertainment but also for mental health support and the development of social skills.

In summary, AI-based friendship and relationship platforms come with the promise of creating a “special” bond by adapting to the moods of their users. Of course, their “sensitivity” and “understanding” are only as genuine as what algorithms can measure. These virtual companions send perfectly timed motivational messages, always available day or night, more for those seeking novelty and entertainment than those simply suffering from loneliness. It’s a relationship without the “troublesome” support that traditional friends and lovers provide. Yet, one cannot help but wonder—how much of genuine emotion can these artificial companions really reflect? While they seem like a new way to cope with loneliness, perhaps they merely offer a polished cover over an inner void, instead of truly filling it.