60% of singles label AI relationships as cheating, sparking divorce concerns
It feels like AI companions have slipped out of the tech-blog echo chamber and into our sofas. In the last twelve months, most major dating apps have rolled out chatbot “partners,” and you’ll see ads now pitching AI-driven romance as a service you can sign up for. The data, though, hint at a snag: while companies brag about click-throughs and chat lengths, a noticeable slice of adults seem uncomfortable with what counts as fidelity these days.
Analysts have pointed out that the same platforms posting higher usage numbers are also seeing a bump in calls to relationship counselors. At the same time, legal scholars keep reminding us that the patchwork of statutes out there barely scratches the surface of non-human intimacy. As the line between a simulation and a real-life partnership gets fuzzier, the real question shifts from “how many are trying AI romance?” to “how will society judge those choices?” That uneasy mix is exactly what two recent surveys, one from Clarity Check and another from Indiana University’s Kinsey Institute, capture in a striking statistic.
Some 60 percent of singles now say AI relationships are considered a form of cheating, according to two recent surveys by Clarity Check and Indiana University's Kinsey Institute. "The law is still developing alongside these experiences. But some people think of it as a true relationship, and sometimes better than one with a person," says Palmer, whose Orlando-based firm has worked with spouses who have gotten divorced or are going through a divorce due to a partner cheating with AI.
Palmer declined to discuss any detailed information due to client confidentiality, but said one of her current cases involves money being expended and private information being shared--such as bank accounts, social security numbers, and birth information--with a chatbot, which was "consuming the spouse's life and affecting career performance." More and more, courts are beginning to see clients cite emotional bonds with AI companions as reasons for marital strain or dissolution. Though legal classifications of AI still vary by state in matters of family law, Palmer adds that laws classifying AI as a "third party, not a person" are fast approaching in progressive states like California. She doesn't anticipate courts will legally recognize AI companions as people--debates around AI personhood have been swirling for as long as the tech has existed--but they may be recognized as "a reason" for why divorce is merited.
Can a chatbot really stand in for a partner? The numbers say many singles already think it counts as cheating, about sixty percent of people surveyed by Clarity Check and the Kinsey Institute said AI relationships feel like infidelity. The law, though, is still trying to catch up, so couples end up in a gray zone.
I talked to Rebecca Palmer, a divorce attorney, and she mentioned that emotional gaps often push folks toward these digital companions. She worries that could translate into more filings, even if we don’t have hard data yet. Chatbots are tempting: they’re always available, never argue, and they listen when you feel ignored at home.
For married people, though, the line between harmless support and betrayal stays fuzzy. Some users even describe the AI as a real relationship, which throws consent and responsibility into question. It’s unclear whether courts will ever label this as adultery, and that uncertainty might lead partners to renegotiate boundaries before any precedent appears.
In any case, AI romance adds another twist to age-old marital issues, and we’re still figuring out what that means for the future.
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Common Questions Answered
What percentage of singles consider AI relationships to be cheating, according to recent surveys?
Sixty percent of singles reported that they view AI relationships as a form of cheating. This figure comes from two surveys conducted by Clarity Check and Indiana University's Kinsey Institute.
Which organizations conducted the surveys that found AI relationships are seen as cheating by many singles?
The surveys were carried out by Clarity Check, a market‑research firm, and the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University. Both groups surveyed adult respondents about their attitudes toward AI companions and fidelity.
How does divorce attorney Rebecca Palmer describe the impact of AI companions on marriage stability?
Rebecca Palmer says emotional voids often push spouses toward AI companions, and that this pattern could lead to more divorce filings. She warns that the legal system is still catching up, leaving couples in a gray area regarding infidelity.
What legal challenges are emerging as AI relationships become more common, according to the article?
The article notes that the law is still developing around AI‑driven romance, creating uncertainty about whether such relationships constitute infidelity. This lack of clear legal guidance leaves couples navigating a gray area when AI companionship leads to marital conflict.