Artificial Intelligence and Human Intimacy: The Growing Phenomenon of Emotional Connections with AI

An article explores the evolving relationship between humans and artificial intelligence, particularly focusing on emotional and intimate connections. The piece examines how people increasingly form attachments to AI entities they can customize according to personal preferences and desires. Historical and cultural parallels are drawn to illustrate this phenomenon, referencing the myth of Pygmalion and Galatea from Greek mythology, where a sculptor falls in love with his ivory statue, and George Bernard Shaw's play Pygmalion, which inspired the musical My Fair Lady, featuring Professor Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle. Contemporary examples include Alex Garland's 2014 film Ex Machina, in which a programmer develops feelings for a cyborg during a Turing test, and Spike Jonze's 2013 film Her, where the protagonist becomes emotionally involved with an AI operating system named Samantha. The discussion highlights how technological advancements enable individuals to create virtual beings that appear superior or more appealing, leading to profound emotional engagements. This trend raises questions about loneliness, human connection, and the ethical implications of AI relationships in modern society. The article was published in April 2026 by Zeit Online, a German publication, as part of its cultural section.