AI Love: An Analysis of Virtual Intimacy in Human-Computer Interaction

Abstract: In the digital age, intimate relationships are gradually becoming scarce, while rapid technological advances are deepening humanity's reliance on virtual relationships. This paper examines the emerging phenomenon of virtual intimacy in human-AI interactions by analyzing recent studies on intimate relationships, virtual intimacy, and human-machine interaction-based virtual intimacy. First, as artificial intelligence technology advances, particularly with the development of affective computing and generative AI, emotional interactions between humans and AI have become more frequent, with virtual companions increasingly being used as tools for emotional support. These relationships can alleviate loneliness and fulfill individual emotional needs to a certain extent. However, AIs emotional responses are generated through algorithms and data processing, lacking genuine emotional resonance, which leads to the risk of emotional dependency and the loss of authenticity in emotional connections. Moreover, privacy and data security issues have become significant challenges in the development of human-AI intimate relationships. Virtual intimacy, as a complex and multi-dimensional research field, still requires further exploration from various perspectives and with diverse subjects.