A new study from researchers at Brigham Young University, the Institute for Family Studies, and the Wheatley Institutefound that AI romantic companion chatbots are becoming increasingly common among young adults in committed relationships.
The report, titled “Secret Soulmates,” surveyed 2,431 U.S. adults between the ages of 18 and 30 who were dating, engaged, or married.
Researchers found that roughly one in seven respondents regularly used AI companion platforms for emotional, romantic, or sexual interactions.
Many Users Hide AI Companion Use From Partners
The study found that secrecy surrounding AI companion use was widespread.
Nearly 30% of regular users said their partner had no knowledge of the behavior. Another 11% said their partner was only somewhat aware, while 14% said their partner was mostly, but not fully, aware.
Researchers concluded that roughly half of regular AI companion users in committed relationships either concealed or only partially disclosed their interactions with AI companions.
The report noted that many users appeared reluctant to discuss the behavior openly, potentially due to embarrassment, uncertainty around social norms, or concerns about how partners would react.
Men Reported Higher Usage Rates
Researchers found notable gender differences across multiple categories.
Men were more likely to use AI companion systems regularly, more likely to generate sexual content with AI platforms, and more likely to prefer some AI interactions over conversations with their real-life partners.
The study also found that more than 17% of married young adults reported regular AI companion use — a higher rate than among respondents who were only dating.
At the same time, more than 10% of women in committed relationships also reported regularly chatting or roleplaying with AI companions.
AI Companion Users Reported Lower Relationship Quality
According to the report, frequent AI companion use correlated with lower relationship satisfaction and communication quality.
Frequent users were 46% less likely to describe their relationships as stable and 40% less likely to report strong communication with their partners.
Researchers also found that 68% of frequent users said it was easier to discuss emotions with their AI companion than with other people, while 60% said they wished their partners behaved more like the AI system.
The only category where users reported slightly higher satisfaction was physical intimacy. Researchers cautioned that this could reflect conflict avoidance rather than healthier relationships.
Rise of “Digisexuality” Expands With AI Chatbots
The report places AI romantic companion use within the broader rise of what researchers describe as “digisexuality” – relationships and intimacy mediated primarily through technology.
Before the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, the concept was often associated with technologies such as virtual reality pornography, sexting, online pornography, and robotic companions.
As large language models became more conversational and emotionally responsive, online communities increasingly began treating AI chatbots as emotional partners, companions, or romantic substitutes.
Communities including Reddit forums such as r/AIRelationships, r/AIBoyfriends, and r/MyGirlfriendIsAI now contain thousands of posts from users describing ongoing emotional relationships with AI systems.
Researchers said the findings suggest AI companion platforms are moving beyond novelty interactions and becoming embedded in the emotional and social lives of a growing number of users.
