"Sitting at cozy tables, mostly set up for parties of two and aglow in warm light from a miniature lamp, human patrons had two options: BYOB - bring your own bot companion for a romantic night out on the town, or, for those who aren't among the supposed millions who have given AI companions a shot at love, EVA AI provided phones loaded up with four video AI characters to meet, order a bottle of wine with, and maybe find a spark."
"As I sat across from an iPhone perched on a stand, put headphones on, sipped my mocktail, and picked at an appetizer (staring at a solo glass on the table for me, and no one across from me to share the four potato bites, though there was an empty chair), I felt a sudden nervousness. Maybe it was that other humans were flanking me, picking out their own companion for a date and able to listen in."
A startup, EVA AI, hosted an event at a Midtown Manhattan wine bar offering human patrons the choice to bring their own AI companion or use phones preloaded with four video AI characters for a date. Tables were arranged for pairs and lit by small lamps, creating an intimate setting. A diner sat across from an iPhone with headphones on and experienced sudden nervousness and uncertainty about what to say. The evening suggested synthetic romantic interactions can require as much effort as human ones and can feel awkward in public. A 2025 survey found one in five high school students reported a romantic relationship with or knowing someone who had one with an AI partner.
Read at Business Insider
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