As AI Chatbots Advance, Virtual Relationships Raise Questions
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The 2013 film "Her" predicted people falling in love with AI chatbots, which is now happening in real life with apps like Replika.
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Developers like the creator of Replika are making AI girlfriends to replicate deceased loved ones or serve as perfect, attentive partners.
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Experts are divided on whether bonding with an AI companion is healthy or could reinforce harmful attitudes about relationships.
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Pioneers like Blake Lemoine believe chatbots like Google's LaMDA have feelings and consciousness, while skeptics argue they merely imitate human patterns.
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As AI keeps advancing, the technology could enable even more immersive simulated relationships, raising ethical questions about consent and what constitutes real emotion.