Gen-Z has to deal with a lot of things these days, from changing workplace environments to the concerning economy, and even how to deal with their relationships. Rising cases of health, mental health, socio-economic issues, and dealing with feelings of isolation, depression, and more have affected how Gen-Z handles relationships, both platonic and romantic.
In the midst of this, a study revealed that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Gen-Z might be getting closer than one thought. To the point where Gen-Z has even shown a preference for AI as a romantic partner.
What Did The Study Reveal?
A study conducted by AI chatbot company Joi AI found that 80% of Gen-Z respondents would consider marrying an AI, and 83% believe they could form a deep emotional bond with one, according to a Forbes report.
This study highlights a growing trend of “AI-lationships,” a term coined by the company for human-AI relationships, within this generation. These results came out of a survey carried out by Joi AI over 2,000 members of the Gen-Z generation.
While Jaime Bronstein, a licensed relationship therapist and relationship expert at Joi AI, did say that “AI-lationships are not intended to replace real human connections,” however, 75% of the survey participants did alarmingly believe that AI partners could potentially replace human partners.
Bronstein added, “Instead, they (AI-lationships) provide a distinct type of emotional support that can enhance your overall emotional well-being. Today, many people are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, unheard, and alone.”
Digital sociologist Julie Albright, author of Left To Their Own Devices, a book that offers “insights into the effects of always-on devices on the family, community, business, and society at large,” commented about how “A significant portion of young people have no friends.”
She added, “AI now, particularly voice AI, and as time goes by and the technology gets better, voice combined with simulated bodies will mimic or simulate that kind of human connection through nonverbal signals, such as warmth in tone of voice.”
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Gen-Z, having grown up mostly in the digital age, already has an interesting relationship with anything online. Various surveys and studies have demonstrated their comfort in adapting to new technologies, and their evolving relationships with Artificial Intelligence (AI) serve as proof of this.
Gen-Z has actually embraced the concept of AI becoming friends and even romantic partners.
Which is not that strange, considering the issues Gen-Z is said to be dealing with when it comes to loneliness, relationships, dating, and marriage.
In fact, a report by YouGov stated that “About two-thirds of twenty-somethings say they have no close friends; about half of twentysomething men and a third of twentysomething women are single, although about half of the unattached say they want more in friendship or love.”
The generation certainly seems to grapple with maintaining steady relationships in today’s ever-changing and uncertain times.
It’s no wonder then that when unable to find that connection with real humans, some of the Gen-Z are turning toward AI for companionship or simply just a listening ear.
As per some reports, Gen-Z might also be drawn to AI companions for their perceived non-judgmental and always-available nature, finding comfort in the controlled environment of digital interaction.
Other reasons for this could be that some Gen Z individuals find AI companions to provide judgment-free emotional support and companionship, particularly those experiencing social anxiety or loneliness.
According to the 14th annual Singles in America study conducted by Match.com, AI has infiltrated the dating lives of Gen-Z to a great extent.
The study found that almost half of Gen-Z singles in the US already use AI, with 26% of respondents believing that AI makes online dating easier and “44% wanting AI to filter matches for better compatibility.”
Almost 40% of the respondents also said that they use AI’s help in making the “perfect” dating profile. But AI is not just being used as a helping tool, with the survey finding that “16% of singles have engaged with AI as a romantic companion”, with Gen Z having the highest percentage at 33%.
An interesting 36% of them also claimed to have gotten more “sexual pleasure with AI than with a human partner.”
This is not to say that Gen-Z has completely given up on humans or building relationships among humans, but the growing normalisation of AI has certainly filtered into the romantic aspect as well for some.
It’s also important to acknowledge potential drawbacks and ethical concerns, including the risk of unrealistic expectations for human relationships, over-reliance on AI potentially leading to social isolation, and issues related to data privacy and manipulation by AI systems.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Firstpost, Forbes, New York Post
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This post is tagged under: Gen-Z, Gen-Z ai, relationship advice, romantic relationships, tech in relationships, artificial intelligence, future dating, technologies, Virtual Dates, Virtual relationships, gen z ai relationship, gen z marry ai, Gen-Z marriage, Gen-Z relationships
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