DiscoverThe Front PageWhy people are falling in love with AI chatbots
Why people are falling in love with AI chatbots

Why people are falling in love with AI chatbots

Update: 2025-10-12
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Artificial intelligence will likely end up touching every aspect of our days – but what about our love lives?

It’s a growing trend, with men and women seeking companionship with a chatbot – some experts saying it could soon become normal to have an AI partner.

This kind of online world has remained largely hidden from the mainstream until recently.

But, a lack of regulation in New Zealand at the moment means that children as young as 13 can spend hours chatting with their new AI friends.

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald reporter Eva de Jong is with us to explain this worrying trend.

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

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Why people are falling in love with AI chatbots

Why people are falling in love with AI chatbots

NZ Herald