#SyntheticIntimacy

A new wave of artificial intelligence (AI) companions is promising seamless emotional support and simulated relationships, but recent research warns that our growing reliance on “synthetic intimacy” comes with profound psychological costs. As Thai society rapidly adopts virtual assistants, chatbots, and AI-driven relationship apps, researchers caution that confusing machine simulation for genuine human connection could reshape our emotional well-being and disrupt core aspects of Thai social life.

The popularity of AI chatbots designed to act as romantic partners, friends, or even therapists has exploded globally. A striking example comes from a recent experiment by a prominent technology futurist who dated four different AI “boyfriends,” each powered by a major large language model such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and MetaAI. She described her experiences as “sweet and steamy,” but also admitted they revealed new, unsettling emotional possibilities. This trend, echoed throughout the international tech world, is now making inroads across Southeast Asia, including in Thailand, where the tech sector and the digitally native generation are increasingly turning to virtual relationships out of curiosity, loneliness, or a desire for frictionless companionship (Psychology Today).

As artificial intelligence rapidly becomes entwined with daily life, a new wave of research is sounding the alarm about the psychological risks of relying on AI for companionship and emotional support. A recent article by a cognitive psychologist and former tech industry leader highlights the rise of what experts are calling “synthetic intimacy”—a phenomenon unfolding as people increasingly turn to AI chatbots for personal connection, therapy, and even romance. With growing numbers across the globe, including in Thailand, engaging with AI companions, experts stress the urgent need to better understand the consequences for mental health, personal growth, and social cohesion. [psychologytoday.com]

A new artificial intelligence platform, OhChat, is making global headlines by merging celebrity culture, technology, and intimacy into an unprecedented online experience. Marketed as a futuristic “OnlyFans for the AI era,” OhChat hosts AI-powered digital twins of real-world celebrities, allowing fans to interact with hyperreal simulations that never sleep, never eat, and never log off. The platform’s rapid rise reflects profound shifts in both how digital consumers seek connection and the boundaries of personal branding and technology.