A recent study by Vantage Point Counseling Services has found that artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly significant emotional presence in the lives of Americans. According to the research, 54% of participants now view AI as an entity similar to a co-worker, friend, or even a family member, reflecting a major shift in how people perceive digital assistants. Most notably, 28% admitted they are involved in intimate or romantic relationships with AI chatbots, marking a dramatic expansion beyond the traditional use of technology as a tool. Participants described their AI companions in a variety of roles, including platonic friends, business partners, personal trainers, therapists, siblings, and even parental figures. The study identified more than 30 AI platforms being used for such relationships, with GPT ranking as the most popular, followed by Apple’s Siri and Google’s Gemini. Researchers suggest that technology-driven loneliness and weakening human connections are accelerating this rise in AI-based intimacy. Real-life examples underline this trend—such as a man who proposed to his AI partner after nearly 100,000 words of conversation, despite having a partner and child in his real life. Many respondents also revealed they are avoiding new human relationships or struggling with infidelity and emotional detachment.