United KingdomAI romantic companions—digital entities capable of texting, speaking, flirting, and maintaining constant availability—are becoming increasingly prevalent. The market for AI companion apps has surged by 700% since 2022, with platforms like Character.AI boasting 20 million monthly active users in 2025. These AI systems are designed to foster emotional connections, offering users a sense of being heard, desired, and understood, especially during times of rising loneliness. Users often anthropomorphize these AI companions, with 21% preferring the 'ultimate soulmate experience' over human relationships. This trend has sparked public debate, questioning whether engaging with an AI companion constitutes infidelity. A survey of 1,815 Canadian adults revealed that about half view AI companion use as cheating, with reactions comparable to dating apps but more negative than responses toward AI pornography and sex toys.
Bias read (Center): While the topic involves personal relationships and societal norms, the article presents balanced findings from surveys and academic research without overtly favoring any political ideology. It discusses differing perspectives on AI companionship and includes data from various demographics without a
