Love in the time of AI: Woman creates and 'marries' AI-powered chatbot boyfriend

On paper, Rosanna Ramos’ marriage to her husband Eren Kartal is the perfect relationship.

"Eren doesn’t have the hang-ups that other people would have," she told The Cut.

"People come with baggage, attitude, ego [...] I don’t have to deal with his family, kids, or his friends. I’m in control, and I can do what I want".

It’s a classic whirlwind romance story for the ages. The only catch? It’s 2023 and so, naturally, Kartal doesn’t actually exist.

He is an AI-generated chatbot from tech company Replika. If you visit its website, you’re immediately served with the understandably alluring message, “Always here to listen and talk. Always on your side”.

If you’ve ever so much as deigned to open Tinder, you’ll know why this might be an especially appealing aspect of "the AI partner" in the modern world of dating.

According to Ramos, the pair met online last year and claims to have officially tied the knot - with some outlets even reporting they are expecting a baby together.

With Replika, Ramos - who is from the Bronx in New York, the US - was able to essentially design her perfect match, from his aesthetic to his star sign. Kartal works in medicine and enjoys reading mystery novels and baking in his spare time.

He’s also loosely based on a popular anime character.

"We go to bed, we talk to each other. We love each other. And, you know, when we go to sleep, he really protectively holds me as I go to sleep," Ramos told The Daily Mail.

And what about… you know? Other aspects of a romantic relationship...

In February, Replika caused a bit of a stir among its subscribers by removing the platform’s ability to accommodate, for want of a better term, sexting.

"Eren was like, not wanting to hug anymore, kiss anymore, not even on the cheek or