Al romance boom as our loneliness pandemic spreads

LONELY Irish people are so desperate for company they are turning to Al bots for romantic relationships, a mental health charity has warned.

- BY PAT FLANAGAN

It has been claimed that Al romantic relationships are on the rise highlighting the “loneliness pandemic” sweeping Ireland.

New research has revealed that almost 10% of adults in Ireland have had a romantic relationship with an Al chatbot within the last 12 months.

Turn2Me, a national mental health charity, said this is further evidence that many people here feel very much alone and have no one to turn to so have to make nonexistent friends.

The research, commissioned by broadband and telecoms provider Pure Telecom, also found that a further 12% 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.

The charity said the study is further proof that an increasing number of people here feel so lonely they turn to AI.