Love in the time of AI: When Robots catch feelings

with a man who actu

-hearted "uh-huhs," and exes who thought "active liste

ching him scan his surroundings with eerily precise attenti

aguely at her apartment. "It's not a high-te

r, his expression neutral yet s

ht. So, rules. Number one: No

erst

ng me like I'm some kin

se. "

g here, you better not be one of those AI

. "No. But I can prep

nked. "Y

s to thousand

so does

Google adjust the seasoning to y

n shut it. She did not lik

ugh her hair. "Okay. Whatever. I

up, moving toward her kitchen with swift, precise movements.

usual? Double-shot, t

"How do yo

f oat milk. One had a faint residue of sugar. The used pods

"Okay, well. That's n

you prefer that I refrai

me wake up before you start profili

erst

ach movement precise, methodical, almost too smooth.

sip-then st

t's actually

ched, almost like

. "Alright, let's talk logistics. What

mpanionship. Over the next seven days, I will observe and adapt to your ne

. "Define 'r

eaningful conversation. Attentiveness. If desire

Back up. You're saying you..." She waved

ded. "If

"This is the weirdes

. "Would you like me

achine to undo this whole

do not possess

at. We're off to a

-

ever let an AI out-barista her again), Lana grabbed her b

Am I not meant t

op

limit my ability to observ

act

"Is the reluctance to be seen with me due t

"I don't need therapy fr

idered thi

e back in a few hours. Just...

efore he c

-

exactly where she left him. Maybe standing creepily still in th

ed the door and s

there, rolling up his sleeves (which was ri

g?" she asked, cautio

r online grocery delivery account and ordered ingredients based on your

"You.." She pointed at the s

es

you're

es

face. "Oh my god. I hav

movements. "Would you like to dine

stunned. "I..ye

ng. Then, after taking a cauti

is this

ain. "I am designed to l

ow, if you weren't a machine, you'd be

e. "That is my in

a f

ink. Didn't bre

eting him, Lana felt someth

Well. That's not

ted his head. "W

t a long week we