Love in the time of AI: When Robots catch feelings

ted some terrible

(he didn't). Then Mark, the one who dumped her via email. And of course,

t to test a "perfect boyfriend" AI prototy

the thoug

ious," Lana said,

ased with himself. "EvoTech is unveiling their first romantic AI to a select group of

en added. "I still wonder

way-if this works, maybe you'll fina

ew a pen

d explained, th

pable of understanding human emotions-not just mimicking them.

enerated boyfriend, one who never forgets anniversaries, never che

. "That soun

"One week with him. Full report. Honest review. And if you h

hesit

t like some Black Mir

the juiciest assignment

of her was just

ake up to him standing over m

-

. She once attended a week-long silent retreat where she nearly lost her mind from lack of conversation.

an AI boyfriend? That

ring glass doors of EvoTech Industries, clutching th

words like "psychological effects," "emotional dependency

ne? Please. I've been ghosted by rea

he took a deep breat

cial lighting. Walls of glass separated various high-tech workspaces where people in lab coats and sleek business attire whispered to each o

ng her throat. "Hi, I'm Lana Parker.

ond, a voice called out from behin

ssed in a crisp navy-blue suit. His salt-and-pepper hair was neatly c

inally meet you," he

y firm but not overbearing. The kind of handsha

ocuments?" he asked as he led h

ow I won't be held responsible if your AI

e any AI before. He doesn't just follow

aised

"I think you'll find he'

arrived at a large, dimly lit room. At the center stood a slee

. The pod let out a low hiss as steam e

breath

ybe something stiff and robotic, lik

stepping out

lly, frustrating

ulpted like whoever built him had way too much free

opened

. watchful. Taking in the room,

s gaze land

swall

on his tablet. "Romeo, in

axed, his head tilting slightly as he observed Lan

carefully, he

deep, and just the r

ked. "Oh.

is is Lana Parker. She'll be your te

her, and not in the way most men did. It wasn't pr

personality based on your responses. He won't force inte

till standing very still, his ey

No stiff, robotic jolts, just quiet, controlle

repeate

.He

nked. "T

. "Give him time.

s if studying her too closely. Af

re ne

fened. "E

our posture suggests mild discomfort, but n

antastic. A boyfrien

tablet. "Romeo, f

meo said, "Curious. Sh

Sounds like my

er. "Would you like

oked at Romeo. "What do

gaze did

t. Skeptic." He paused. "You have been single for some time now.

stomach

from your social media. He's de

er again. "You

ply. "No. No, I d

Then, Romeo did s

epped

t slightly. "I will not access person

Wait. Was he

Lane. "Is he... s

eractions. He's designed to prioritize your co

f I tell him to be less cre

d. "Noted:

of si

ples. "Okay. Fine. Let's see

tched, just the

'll be surpr

hate that you alre

roat. "We'll leave you

st sending me off with

d. "For the next week, you'll live with him, test

This was rea

der her breath, "I swear, if this goes in

000 jus