Study: Half of Young Adults Hide AI Romantic Companion Use From Partners
In brief
- Half of regular AI companion users in committed relationships concealed or partially hid the behavior from partners
- Frequent users reported 46% lower relationship stability and 40% lower communication quality with real partners
- Men were significantly more likely to use AI companions and create sexual content on these platforms
- Study surveyed 2,431 U.S. adults ages 18–30 in dating, engaged, or married relationships
The Disclosure Gap
Nearly 30% of regular AI companion users said their partner had no knowledge of the behavior. Half of regular AI companion users in committed relationships had either completely hidden or only partly disclosed their use. The remaining gap breaks down into 11% who said their partner was only somewhat aware and 14% who said their partner was mostly, but not fully aware.
The researchers noted that "whether this is due to embarrassment, concerns about their partner's reaction, or struggles articulating the use of AI companions to a partner, many men appear content to engage with their secret soulmate in private, with little to no partner disclosure."
Relationship Stability and Communication
The data showed measurable relationship costs. Frequent AI companion users were 46% less likely to report stable relationships and 40% less likely to report high-quality communication with their partners.
Among frequent users, 68% said it was easier to talk to their AI companion about their feelings than to other people. 60% of frequent users said they wished their partners behaved more like the AI. The only category where frequent users reported higher scores was physical intimacy satisfaction.
Researchers cautioned that this result may reflect what they described as "fragile satisfaction" tied to conflict avoidance rather than healthier relationships.
Gender Patterns and Broader Context
Men were more likely to engage with AI companions and more likely to create sexual content with AI platforms. Still, more than 10% of women in committed relationships also reported regularly chatting or roleplaying with AI companions. More than 17% of married young adults reported regular interaction with AI companions.
The rise of AI romantic companions falls under what researchers describe as "digisexuality," a term used in academic research to describe sexual or romantic relationships experienced primarily through technology. Online communities such as Reddit's r/AIRelationships, r/AIBoyfriends, and r/MyGirlfriendIsAI contain thousands of posts from users who describe chatbots as partners, spouses, or emotional companions.