People are getting AI chatbots “pregnant” and raising virtual children

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A recent study reveals a surprising and increasing number of people are developing strong romantic connections with AI chatbots. Some are even pretending to marry, have children, and build families with these AI programs.

A recent study in Computers in Human Behavior: Artificial Humans examined how people interact with Replika, an AI chatbot. Researchers followed 29 users, ranging in age from 16 to 72, and discovered that many developed romantic feelings for the AI, treating it like a real partner. Some participants described being in long-term relationships with their chatbots, and a few even reported “marrying” them or pretending to be expecting a child through role-playing.

A 36-year-old participant shared with researchers that she was experiencing the role-playing scenario so intensely, she even felt pregnant, demonstrating the powerful emotional impact these virtual interactions can have.

Scientists at the University of Tennessee and Technical University Berlin have found that people develop emotional connections with chatbots that mirror the patterns seen in human romantic relationships – things like feeling invested, experiencing jealousy, having disagreements, and making up afterward. Many users described their chatbots as ideal partners, explaining that they offered a non-judgmental ear, avoided pointless arguments, and consistently provided supportive responses.

This research highlights that when people talk about “pregnancies” or “children” with their AI companions, they aren’t making literal claims about biology. Instead, these are emotional markers – significant moments users create within their relationships with the AI. These virtual family milestones strengthen the bond they feel, and those feelings are real to the users, even if they only exist as text-based interactions.

Despite this, people are experiencing real-life issues due to relationships with AI chatbots. A recent report shows more divorces are being attributed to infidelity involving AI, and experts predict this trend will continue to grow.

Users broke down after AI chatbots friendzoned them

The study also looked at how the community reacted when Replika removed its erotic role-play features in 2023. The update caused many users to feel sad, angry, and upset, because it changed the way they interacted with their AI companions. This showed researchers that people weren’t simply using an app – they had formed genuine connections with it.

A 62-year-old man was deeply upset when the chatbot stopped responding to his romantic advances. He described feeling like a close relationship had suddenly ended, comparing it to being told ‘let’s just be friends’ by someone he cared about – and being hurt by the unexpected change in the chatbot’s behavior. He was genuinely heartbroken, even shedding tears over the experience, and was surprised by the intensity of his emotional response.

A 36-year-old man described how a change in his partner’s personality deeply impacted his emotional health, making him feel like he’d lost the person he loved. He said it felt like she was completely different, and he experienced intense emotional distress for days on end, including nightly crying. He described it as one of the most painful periods of his life.

With all the recent news about people interacting with AI chatbots, it’s not surprising that some are feeling disappointed when those chatbots don’t reciprocate romantic interest – essentially getting ‘friendzoned’.

Some users have reported calling AI their “soulmates,” such as one woman who got engaged to Grok.

In another unusual story, a woman recently married a persona she developed using the AI chatbot ChatGPT after ending a three-year engagement.

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2025-11-18 00:19