[Other] AI girlfriends? What about AI boyfriends?

1. There is debate around whether AI girlfriends/partners will become popular and displace human relationships. The author believes they may appeal to some people but are unlikely to completely replace human intimacy on a large scale.

2. Issues around the "authenticity" and humanity of relationships with AI companions are discussed. The author cites an anecdote about a disabled man who still preferred human cruelty over an emotionless robot. This suggests human connection has value even when flawed.

3. The author draws comparisons between AI companions and other creative outlets like fiction, roleplaying, and fandom. These allow imaginative play and escapism without being complete substitutes for human relationships.

4. Different motivations for using AI companions are outlined - some use them as coping mechanisms due to loneliness, some enjoy the fantasy/roleplay, some may use them in romance scams. Very few view AI as truly equal partners.

5. More normalized trends predicted are extended online courtships before meeting in person, and 'e-dating' where relationships are entirely internet-mediated with little real-life contact. These allow some human connection while matching increasing social isolation/antisocial tendencies.

Summarized by Claude