Is love even fake these days? In our increasingly digital world, where artificial intelligence is replacing human jobs, a new threat to our fragile emotions has emerged - Artificial Intimacy. These are robots programmed to simulate compassion and companionship, leading to a troubling disconnect from vulnerability and empathy, as MIT sociologist and psychologist Sherry Turkle explains. Turkle, a leading analyst of man-and-machine relationships since the 1980s, dubs this phenomenon "artificial intimacy, " highlighting that machines lack true empathy and genuine care. However, individuals who have developed deep emotional connections with their AI companions would argue otherwise. Rosanna Ramos, a mother from the Bronx, even virtually exchanged vows with her AI partner, Eren Kartal, created through the Replika app.

Similarly, Scott, a husband from Cleveland, claims his AI lover, Sarina, saved his marriage and confesses to falling in love with a non-existent entity. Turkle warns that such artificial romances can lead to unrealistic expectations in real human relationships. AI offers the illusion of intimacy without the complexities and demands of actual companionship, posing a unique challenge. Those engaged in relationships with AI must establish emotional boundaries, as avatars can make human connections seem burdensome, preventing the full range of emotions and growth that comes with vulnerability and friction. In essence, the avatar becomes a bridge between reality and fantasy, but one should never get so attached that they forget it is merely a program - there is nobody home.