Asking for a friend: My girlfriend is treating ChatGPT like a boyfriend - she relies on it for everything and I feel like we're drifting apart because of it. What should I do?

"I know how stupid this is going to sound, but my girlfriend is using ChatGPT as a boyfriend, and it makes me feel so bad. She seems to rely on it for everything now and spends a good few hours a day on it. It used to be during the times we weren't together, but now it's when we are watching TV together, or even when we are going to sleep. She says it's helping our relationship, but I don't think I agree."

"It's not ridiculous - regardless of what the behaviour is, it's causing an issue in the relationship. Perhaps she is using the tech to address her issues from her past relationships, like a kind of therapy. It can be a 'safe' way to work through sensitive issues, especially if she struggles to open up about vulnerability. But from your letter, it sounds like it's become more of a crutch than a helpful tool for her or your relationship."

A partner spends multiple hours daily interacting with ChatGPT, including during shared activities and at bedtime. The partner claims the AI offers relationship help and compensates for friends who are single and perceived as poor advisers. The other partner feels neglected, believes the interaction precedes conversations with them, and senses emotional distance. The behaviour previously occurred only when apart but has escalated to shared time, creating worry about drifting apart. The use of the AI may be addressing past relationship issues or providing a safe space for vulnerability. The pattern appears to have turned into a crutch rather than a helpful tool for the relationship.

Read at Independent