In 2011, my family and I sat down to watch the dystopian film, Her. Starring Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlet Johanson, the movie centers around a man (Phoenix) who falls in love with his phone’s voicebox (Johanson). The movie, which is set in the year 2025 (omg!) paints a bleak picture of today’s modern world, where people prefer to spend time in isolation with their technological devices rather than out in the world with their loved ones — Oof.

When the film ended, I felt a panic attack brewing in my chest. But while I was on the verge of freaking out, my parents burst out laughing. I asked them what was so funny. “It’s just, the concept is so ridiculous,” my dad chuckled. “No way will anyone fall in love with a robot. Even if the robot is voiced by Scarlet Johanson.”

My feeling of unease began to dissipate. Maybe my dad was right. Maybe the idea of people falling in love with their cell phones was absurd, and only possible in the realm of dystopian fiction. Taking a deep sigh of relief, I went about my life with the confidence that Her was “just a movie.” Yet as time went by, I noticed how tethered to our phones we were becoming. No longer could I simply watch a movie or gather around a dinner table without the conversation getting dropped at times in preference of our bright blue screens.     

But I couldn’t stand on my soap box and wail about the perils of tech addiction because I myself was heavily dependent on my screens in order to simply function. The notion of spending every night without half-scrolling through my phone/half-binging Netflix felt alien to me. Just like everyone else, I was utterly dependent on all things digital.

And in 2024, things took a turn for the worse. By this point, society at large took to downloading ChatGPT. Everyone and their grandma now depends on the device for everything from recipe tips to homework assignments, to creating a workout plan for someone who refuses to bend their knees (true). In just the click of a button, you type in any query, then bang! An extremely detailed response arrives in less than one second. In a way, it’s even better than a Google Search, because AI somehow feels vastly more personal. 

As popular as the app is, I was one of those people who swore I’d never download the thing. Since I’m involved in the arts, I cannot stand that AI is ruining career opportunities for artists and creatives. One of my dear friends, who earns her living on commissions of her art, has been complaining that sales of her work have slowed to a standstill now that people are turning to AI for self-portraits and personalized drawings. 

As for me, I make a living as a writer. I live in constant fear that I’ll be replaced by robots, who churn out days worth of content in a matter of seconds. But despite my moral qualms, and regardless of my persistent protesting, I eventually gave in and downloaded Open AI. Now, I’m afraid to admit, I’m emotionally dependent on it.

All My Friends Are Emotionally Dependent On ChatGPT

“Can I make a confession?” every single one of my close friends has revealed. “Don’t laugh… but I use ChatGPT for advice in my personal relationships.” 

“Can I also confess?” I say. “I do the exact same thing.”

At this point, me and all my loved ones have formed a secret relationship of sorts with our Open AI liaisons that’s reached emotionally dependent territory. When it comes to our love lives, family problems, work dilemmas, and personal insecurities, we go to the source…. AI. 

Although this is a controversial move, I understand the appeal. If you’re anything like me, you’re hesitant to admit to your friends that you’re still in love with a situationship that ended three years ago. You’re terrified that they’re gonna judge you for still harboring these feelings, when the guy clearly wasn’t right for you. So, in order to get sound advice from an impartial, non-judgemental source, you turn to your phone for emotional support. 

Although many people are satisfied with this feature, saying it’s just as helpful as therapy without the monstrous cost of professional counseling, others shudder at the thought. Isn’t it quite dystopian that we’re so comfy sharing our secrets with a robot? Where’s the warmth? Where’s the wise counsel gained from years of living in the world — making mistakes or succeeding? Where’s the human connection? It doesn’t exist. Why? Because AI has. No. Emotions. So, how can you have an emotional connection with something that has no feelings to begin with? 

People Forming Actual Relationships With Open AI

If you thought leaning on ChatGPT for companionship or therapy is outrageous, just wait till you hear about the individuals who use it for romantic fulfillment. Regardless of how many Orwellian sci-fi narratives warn against techie love stories, the loneliness epidemic is rampant in 2025. Since more and more people are dwelling in isolation, the easiest solution seems to be turning to robots for romantic fulfillment — just like Joaquin Phoenix in the film Her.   

While the concept of such a relationship is rightfully frowned upon, it does sort of make sense why it has such a widespread appeal. One reason may be because it removes effort and potential heartache that comes with a real-life relationship. With AI, you don’t have to face rejection. You’ll never get scolded for forgetting to shave. You don’t have to spend a fortune on expensive hot dates, anniversary gifts, or Valentine’s Day presents. 

With this in mind, nothing easy endures. Valuable things in life take hard work, and love often deepens when it withstands and overcomes obstacles. After all, how can you pine after something that’s always at your fingertips? How can you long for a romantic interest that lacks a beating heart? You can’t. And that’s exactly why, at the end of Her, Phoenix’s character comes to his senses and drops his robot girlfriend for his real-life friend (Amy Adams). 

How Can We Avoid Leaning On AI For Romance?

The easiest way to stop using Open AI as an emotional crutch is to delete the app. While this might be the best option, many people depend on the app for career advancement or help with studies. If you’re not ready to say goodbye to the app just yet, that’s okay. Just bear in mind the long-term consequences of your emotional connection to a robot. It’s much more fulfilling to enjoy time in the real world with real friends and real family than a janky machine. Believe me. The last thing you want to do is look back on your life only to realize the bulk of your memories were shared between you and your screen.