Romance, mediated by AI

THE RESPONSES CAME quick, but polished.

- AYANTI BERA

Mary, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, was hugely impressed by the emotional depth and articulate nature of the guy on the other side, something she found rarely on a dating app. He asked thoughtful questions, was attuned to her emotional state, and seemed to know just the right thing to say.But, soon a message came that ended with a strange sign-off:"A few low-key flirty optionspick what feels natural to you ... If you want something slightly more playful, here are a few options ... " Mary knew instantly. She hadn't been talking to"him". She had been talking to an AI chatbot.