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AI 'virtual infidelity' cited in rising divorce cases

ai-technology · 2026-06-20

A growing number of people are turning to AI chatbots like ChatGPT for advice instead of their partners, a trend now linked to divorce. In Los Angeles, AI-related 'virtual infidelity' contributes to three to five divorce cases per week. The practice raises environmental concerns: a Morgan Stanley report forecasts AI data centres will drive annual water consumption to over a trillion litres by 2028, an 11-fold increase from 2024. The author recounts a friend whose four-year relationship ended partly because her partner consulted ChatGPT for everything, ignoring her opinions.

Key facts

  • AI-related 'virtual infidelity' cited in three to five divorce cases per week in Los Angeles.
  • Morgan Stanley report forecasts AI data centres will consume over a trillion litres of water annually by 2028.
  • Water consumption by AI data centres expected to increase 11-fold from 2024 to 2028.
  • A four-year relationship ended partly due to a partner consulting ChatGPT instead of their significant other.

Entities

Institutions

  • Morgan Stanley
  • Monocle

Locations

  • Los Angeles
  • United States
  • London
  • United Kingdom

Sources