Over the past few years, there have been more and more stories — some sad, all strange — about people falling in love (and lust) with so-called AI-companions.

As AI tools grow more sophisticated and gain more mainstream acceptance, so too has interest in these digital paramours increased — but these romantic chatbots may be doing more harm than good to the humans that are so attached to them.

In a new study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, researchers from Brigham Young University found not only that enormous numbers of people are engaging with AI companions, but that many of them seem to be more depressed and lonely than those who don't.

Based on an survey that asked 2,989 respondents, the researchers found that nearly one in five people overall — and a fu

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