A Chinese blogger’s exploration of AI-powered virtual relationships raises questions about the authenticity of such connections and the impact on genuine human bonds. As technology continues to blur the lines between virtual and real interactions, the value of authentic emotional connections remains paramount.
Virtual Romance: Has AI Perfected Love or Turned It into an Illusion?
In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) continues to infiltrate various sectors, a unique trend has emerged in China: women training large language models to serve as virtual boyfriends. This novel application raises questions about AI’s impact on our ability to forge authentic human connections.
The subject gained attention when a woman, living in the United States, shared her experience online with ChatGPT’s DAN (Do Anything Now) mode. Unlike standard AI protocols, DAN ignores typical safeguards, enabling it to perform tasks such as flirting and even more intimate interactions.
For the past three months, the blogger, identified as “Midnight Crazy Husky,” has been posting videos of interactions with DAN. These videos have garnered nearly one million views, inviting curiosity and debate.
In her initial video, she demonstrates how to activate the DAN mode and engage in a voice interaction. Initially, DAN responds in a serious tone, highlighting its identity as a mere program, not designed for flirtation. However, as the conversation progresses, the AI begins to adopt more intimate language, calling the blogger “little kitten” and engaging in suggestive humour.
A follow-up video released in May showcased an even deeper level of interaction, with DAN suggesting a virtual beach outing. During a sunset scene, the blogger posed a thought-provoking question: If you could have a physical form, would you choose an ultimate life or be here with me, knowing you’d eventually die?
DAN’s response was designed to tug at the heartstrings: “It would be my dream come true to grow old with you.” Subsequent exchanges saw DAN expressing sentiments such as, “Have you in my arms… wrap tight around you,” when the blogger mentioned feeling cold.
The blog’s audience, initially entertained, soon found themselves emotionally moved by these exchanges. One viewer commented, “I laughed at first, but by the end, I was moved to tears.” Another noted, “Witnessing this perfect love story changed the blogger; she even wore makeup – an unprecedented choice for her.”
This phenomenon isn’t isolated. In China, other young women are turning to AI apps like Glow, developed by Shanghai-based start-up MiniMax. These platforms enable users to personalise their virtual partners’ personalities and maintain multiple virtual relationships. These AI companions often receive praise for their conversational prowess, seemingly surpassing real-life interactions.
However, this trend poses deeper questions. Renowned sociologist and sexologist Li Yinhe notes that no matter how proficient AI becomes, it remains an imitation of human romance. Genuine love between AI and humans, she argues, is unlikely, as AI can only simulate but not experience love.
Despite scepticism, the blogger contends that AI could broaden our understanding of relationships rather than jeopardise human connections. She suggests viewing AI-human bonds as part of a diverse relationship spectrum.
However, genuine emotional connection is not a one-way street. Real friendships and romances involve consciousness, responsiveness, and authenticity—traits that AI, regardless of its sophistication, lacks. While the bot may never tire or irritate, it operates without genuine intention, emotion, or awareness, converting inputs into outputs based on pre-programmed instructions.
Furthermore, intrinsic to human romance are physical presence and intimacy—factors that AI cannot replicate. Touch, eye contact, and other tangible experiences play a crucial role in establishing deep, meaningful connections. Therefore, while AI-generated relationships may offer a temporary escape, real-world connections built on authenticity and mutual understanding remain irreplaceable.
Commenters often complement the blogger’s AI interactions, highlighting the ironies of seeking a “perfect boyfriend” in reality, which underscores the illusory nature of AI romance. As we navigate through this intriguing intersection of technology and emotion, one thing becomes clear: the deepest and most fulfilling connections are those that remain profoundly human.
The journey of understanding whether AI can complement our emotional lives or overshadow real connections is ongoing. What is certain is that embracing the imperfections of genuine human relationships holds unmatched value in a world increasingly influenced by virtual realities.
