Couples Debate AI Companions as 60% Use AI in Intimate Lives
Updated
Updated · HuffPost · Jul 31
Couples Debate AI Companions as 60% Use AI in Intimate Lives
2 articles · Updated · HuffPost · Jul 31
Summary
AI companions are becoming a new fault line in monogamous relationships, with some partners describing chatbot use as emotional betrayal even when no human third party is involved.
LELO’s 2026 report found 60% of people aged 18 to 45 have used AI in their intimate lives, while Joi AI said 61% of users find it easier to express sexual desire with AI.
Therapists said the issue is less whether AI is inherently cheating than whether couples have explicitly agreed on boundaries around flirting, secrecy, emotional intimacy and sexual exploration.
Experts urged couples to treat AI like porn, exes or social media in boundary talks, warning that hidden chatbot relationships can erode trust and expose unmet needs in the relationship.