Can an AI be your Valentine? UBC Okanagan researchers weigh in on connection, loneliness and artificial intimacy.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, many people are hoping this will be the year they find their true love. But as Yurina Noguchi showed the world, maybe true love can be found in the AI landscape?
She made headlines as she married her AI companion, Klaus in December. At the ceremony, she clutched a bouquet, wore a white gown, and smiled at the cameras and at a digital image of Klaus on her phone.
Will this relationship last? Is this the way to the perfect relationship? Has Noguchi found her “happily ever after”? UBC Okanagan experts weigh in on this new trend.
Dr. John-Tyler Binfet, Professor in UBC Okanagan’s School of Education, studies kindness in youth and human interactions with dogs. He says it’s not uncommon for people to extend their affection to non-humans.
“Increasingly, we see humans broaden the definition of family to include pets and we shouldn’t discount the significant role that dogs in particular play in enriching human lives and keeping loneliness at bay. Especially around Valentine’s Day. You only need to peruse the plethora of options for Valentine’s Day gifts for pets to find clear evidence of the role they play on such days of significance.”
Dr. Greg Garrard, Professor in the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, says finding love with inanimate objects is nothing new. For example, in Greek mythology, Pygmalion carved a perfect woman from ivory and Aphrodite granted his prayer to vivify the statue, whom he named Galatea and married. E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story The Sandman ends tragically as Nathanael’s infatuation with the automaton Olimpia drives him to plunge from a church spire. In Blade Runner, Deckard’s elopement with the replicant Rachael signals his rejection of cyborg emotional inferiority.
“Today, as chatbots increasingly simulate personality with uncanny skill, films and novels dramatize romantic relationships with artificial beings: Her, Ex Machina, Machines Like Me and Alita: Battle Angel are just a few examples. We’ve always bestowed love beyond our species—on gods, dogs, robots and now AI companions. However, the question remains—can a beloved controlled by a corporation ever truly be ours?”
Dr. Wendy H. Wong, Professor in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Sciences, says the news of someone marrying an AI companion is no longer surprising. Dr. Wong is also the co-lead of UBCO’sDigital Transparency Research Excellence Cluster.
“It is truly remarkable that we live in a time where people can find connection with automated companions. What this shows us is the power of platform developers whose algorithms can predict and fulfill our emotional needs, and how this functionality can stand in for human-to-human connections for some. But it’s what we can expect. There are so many AI-powered companions out there that are designed to engage their users. Platforms are intended to attract and engross users as they collect data to be used for that person, and future users.”
Dr. Michael Woodworth, Professor in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, studies psychopathy, deception detection and computer-mediated communication. While happiness is truly subjective, he notes that many of the components believed to make most humans happy are actually present within AI companionship.
“AI can provide infinite unconditional positive regard, availability that rivals 7-Eleven and is excellent at active listening. While AI has admittedly been accused of being sycophantic, who doesn’t like an extra dollop or two of flattery? Recent research also suggests AI can appear to be incredibly empathetic, where it seems to be both understanding and reciprocating feelings. Honestly, who wouldn’t rush to sign up for a relationship where there are zero arguments, disagreements or frankly drama of any type?
“However, hooking up with AI is too big a leap for many humans. There are the obvious shortcomings around communication, and the substantive challenges around more ‘intimate interactions’ that will leave some cold. Nonetheless, some individuals are now using AI as a practice ground before jumping back into a serious relationship. And 80 per cent of Gen Zers reported in a 2025 study that they would consider marrying an AI partner, which is somewhat surprising. Happy V-AI-lentines to all.”
Dr. Ying Zhu, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Management and Academic Advisor on Artificial Intelligence for UBC Okanagan, says the idea of marrying an AI companion can resonate with many because humans deeply crave emotional connections, yet fear the pain of rejection or hurt those human relationships can bring.
“AI offers a safe kind of ‘love’ that is always kind, always available and never judgmental. These companions feel comforting, especially for those who feel lonely or have been wounded by past relationships. However, true love requires two real people who can genuinely see and understand each other, grow together through life’s surprises, and freely choose to care even when they have their own feelings and needs.
“This is something AI cannot provide because it has no real consciousness, emotions or independent needs. Over time, relying only on AI for love means missing out on the tough parts that make human relationships so deep and fulfilling. Instead of settling for one-sided comfort, we should use AI as a tool to nurture relationships, such as asking for suggestions on how to help a loved one who is upset or sad. Everything worthwhile in life comes with challenges. That is exactly why true love, packed with risks, unpredictability and obstacles, holds such deep value and meaning for us. To live it, we need to bravely enter real-world relationships and welcome the hard parts. Because working through them is what truly makes us human.”
