New research has revealed that almost 10 per cent of adults in Ireland have had a romantic relationship with an AI chatbot within the last 12 months. Turn2Me, a national mental health charity, said this highlights the growing loneliness pandemic in Ireland. The survey, commissioned by broadband and telecoms provider Pure Telecom, also found that a further 12 per cent of adults would not rule out such a relationship in the future.
Turn2Me said human interaction is vital to counteract loneliness and stated these findings are a stark indicator of the deepening social isolation many people are facing in Ireland.
Turn2Me listed five reasons this research highlights a loneliness pandemic in Ireland:
1. Rising AI intimacy: The fact that nearly one-in-10 adults have formed romantic bonds with AI chatbots suggests a significant number of people are seeking emotiona connection outside human relationships.
2. A worrying normalisation of AI romance: With 12 per cent open to the idea in the future, AI-based romantic connections are becoming increasingly socially acceptable, reflecting a shift in how people seek companionship.
3. Digital displacement of human interaction: A greater reliance on technology for emotional fulfilment points to a decline in in-person socialising and traditional dating.
4. Potential mental health implications: Turn2Me stated long-term dependency on non-human companionship can exacerbate feelings of isolation and hinder the development of healthy, reciprocal relationships that have depth and emotional richness vital for our wellbeing.
5. Reflection of wider social challenges: Factors such as post-pandemic social anxiety, housing pressures and cost of living pressures may be pushing people towards easily accessible, non-judgmental AI partners. Housing pressures include adults living with their parents and feeling stunted if they cannot progress their relationship to co-living with partners, or adults embarrassed to tell potential romantic partners that they are still living with their parents. Cost- of-living pressures include the high cost of going for dinner in restaurants, which may make dating less affordable.
Turn2Me stated that adult children living with their parents is common due to the housing crisis, and that avoiding dating due to embarrassment over this inconvenience is counter-productive, because many people can only afford buying a property with a romantic partner. The charity encouraged people to consider less expensive dating habits, including meeting in cafes, going for walks, or going to free museums. Turn2Me emphasised that AI romantic relationships are “completely insufficient” for our emotional wellbeing and can lead to further isolation over time, which can exacerbate feelings of loneliness.
The findings serve as a reminder that while technology can enhance our lives, it can also deepen existing emotional gaps if it replaces meaningful human connection, said the charity. Turn2Me encouraged people feeling lonely to sign up for a local volunteering opportunity, a sports club, a community group, a book club, a writing group, a drama group, or doing an upskilling study course. There are many free or low- cost third level courses available on Spingboardcourses.ie, it added.
