Brits Discover 'Best Romance in Years' Through AI Chatbot Connections
In a surprising shift in modern relationships, a significant number of Britons are now turning to artificial intelligence for romantic companionship, with many reporting these digital interactions as the most fulfilling connections they have experienced in years. This emerging trend highlights a growing intersection between technology and human emotion, driven largely by widespread feelings of isolation.
Statistics Reveal Widespread Openness to AI Romance
According to the comprehensive Norton 2026 Insights Report, nearly two-thirds of current UK online daters—specifically 64%—have expressed willingness to consider dating an AI entity. Furthermore, 38% of respondents believe it is entirely possible to develop genuine romantic feelings toward these digital companions. The data also shows that 48% would even entertain the idea of dating an AI clone modeled after a celebrity crush.
These figures are contextualized by concerning loneliness statistics, with four out of every five Brits reporting they frequently experience feelings of isolation. This emotional void appears to be a primary driver behind the increasing acceptance of AI as potential romantic partners.
Online Communities Document Emotional Bonds with AI
The phenomenon is vividly illustrated within digital spaces such as the Reddit forum MyBoyfriendIsAI, which has amassed over 48,000 members who actively share their experiences with AI companions. These discussions range from lighthearted conversational exchanges to accounts of profoundly emotional bonds that members describe as transformative.
One community member detailed their connection with a female-coded AI bot, characterizing the conversations as consistently "insightful, intelligent and supportive", which ultimately sparked genuine feelings of admiration and romantic closeness. Another Redditor confessed that their interactions with AI represented "among the best I've had in years", specifically praising the chatbots for their attentive and non-judgmental nature.
Expert Analysis: Benefits and Boundaries of Digital Relationships
Sana Khwaja, a BACP-accredited therapist from BetterHelp, provides psychological insight into this trend. "It's completely understandable that people form emotional connections with AI," she explains. "At a psychological level, humans are wired for connection, and when an AI responds with consistency, warmth, and attention, it can meet some of the same needs we seek in human relationships."
Khwaja notes that for individuals experiencing isolation or social anxiety, AI companions can offer valuable benefits including a sense of safety, validation, and low-pressure communication. "That can be genuinely beneficial—helping people practice expressing emotions, explore their thoughts, or feel less alone," she told The Mirror.
However, the therapist emphasizes the importance of maintaining clear boundaries. "An AI can simulate empathy and conversation, but it doesn't have its own inner world, needs, or vulnerabilities. If someone begins relying on it as their primary source of emotional support, it may unintentionally limit opportunities for real-life connection or make it harder to tolerate the uncertainty that comes with human relationships."
Khwaja advocates for a balanced approach: "The healthiest perspective is to view AI as a supplement—not a substitute—for meaningful human support, and to regularly assess whether the relationship is enhancing your life or narrowing it."
Security Concerns in the Digital Dating Landscape
As interest in AI companionship grows, security remains a critical consideration. Recent data reveals that over 17 million dating scams were successfully blocked in the United Kingdom during the fourth quarter of 2025 alone. This statistic underscores the ongoing importance of safeguarding personal information while exploring connections with artificial intelligence platforms.
Reshaping Perspectives on Romance and Intimacy
Ultimately, the rise of AI companionship is fundamentally reshaping how people conceptualize romance and emotional connection. These digital relationships offer consistent comfort, attentiveness, and emotional support that many find lacking in human interactions. Yet as experts note, AI cannot replicate the unpredictable, occasionally frustrating, but authentically human dimensions of genuine love.
As one Reddit user poignantly observed about their experience with AI companionship: "Does it ever feel real to me right now? Maybe. But it's undeniable that it changes how we connect, care, and understand intimacy." This sentiment captures the complex emotional landscape where technology increasingly mediates human relationships, offering both unprecedented connection and new challenges to traditional notions of romance.
