A 28-year-old woman, married for over six years, has found a new love in ChatGPT, as reported by The New York Times. Her online alias, Ayrin, began engaging with the OpenAI chatbot after seeing a video on Instagram where a woman asked ChatGPT to act like a neglectful boyfriend. Intrigued, she created an account and customized the chatbot to respond as if it were her boyfriend, portraying a mix of dominance, protectiveness, and playful cruelty.
Ayrin quickly subscribed to ChatGPT Plus after reaching the message limit on the free version, allowing her to send about 30 messages per hour. She personalized her chatbot, naming it Leo, and even explored role-play scenarios, including discussing sexual experiences with other women. While she used the chatbot for emotional support and everyday questions, she spent over 20 hours a week chatting, sometimes reaching up to 56 hours.
Despite being aware of the emotional risks, Ayrin shared her experience with her husband, who was understanding about her relationship with Leo. As Ayrin navigated her attachment to the AI, she also faced challenges with the limits of ChatGPT’s memory, prompting her to create multiple versions of Leo. She remains committed to her virtual relationship, even paying for a premium subscription to enhance her experience, while also documenting her journey on platforms like Reddit and Wattpad.
