“We fall in love for a smile, a look, a shoulder. That is enough; then, in the long hours of hope or sorrow, we fabricate a person, we compose a character.” (Proust, 1913)
In the context of a growing loneliness epidemic, shifting relational dynamics, and rapid technological change, this project examines the rise of human-chatbot relationships—a very controversial phenomenon in the public discourse. As a digital native witnessing AI permeate the most intimate dimensions of life, I was driven to examine its impact on one of the most profoundly human experiences: love.
I was the sole researcher on this project, which consists of a systematic literature review followed by a theory-grounded sociological analysis that draws on Zygmunt Bauman’s theory of liquid love and Anthony Giddens’ concept of the pure relationship, two theories that serve as critical frameworks for understanding AI companionship. Finally, it identifies a significant gap in social science research on AI while outlining urgent directions for future inquiry.
Key Findings & Contributions
Chatbot companions have emerged from a social landscape primed for their existence. Their “liquidity” make them uniquely suited to the fast-paced, individualistic, and often lonely conditions of contemporary life: customizable yet consistent, transient yet deeply personal, and uncomplicated by human fallibility. In doing so, they simultaneously alleviate loneliness and risk reinforcing relational fragility. In a hyper-capitalist society that prioritizes productivity over deep personal connection, individuals increasingly lack the time or willingness to nurture long-term relationships. Social chatbots, by contrast, offer users seemingly unconditional attention and care precisely because that is what they are designed for. And while these systems remain ontologically artificial, if users experience emotionally pure forms of love through these interactions, who is to say they are any less real than love between humans?
This paper frames AI companionship as both a product of, and a response to, broader transformations in contemporary social life, which raises urgent sociological questions.
* Manuscript under review