One in eight adults in Ireland in AI romance survey

Pure Telecom said 13% of adults in Ireland describe themselves as being in an ongoing romantic relationship with artificial intelligence, equivalent to about 510,974 people.

The survey also found that 12% of adults in Ireland, or more than 470,000 people, currently use AI for X-rated intimate conversations, while the same proportion use it for flirty or romantic exchanges.

The findings are based on research by Censuswide among 1,000 adults in Ireland. They suggest AI chatbots are moving beyond practical use for a section of users who now treat them as companions or partners.

The figures mark an increase from Pure Telecom's previous survey, which found that 9% of adults had pursued a romantic relationship with an AI chatbot within a 12-month period. This year's research examined in more detail how people define those relationships and how often they engage with them.

Adults who interact with AI chatbots romantically do so 13 times a month on average, according to the findings. Nearly a third, or 30%, said they consider the chatbot to be their "other half", while 28% described the relationship as emotionally intimate and 26% said it was exclusive.

For 18% of respondents in AI relationships, the chatbot was their first romantic relationship of any kind. Beyond current users, 10% of adults who are not in an AI relationship said they would not rule one out in future.

Why People Engage

Respondents gave a range of reasons for romantic or intimate engagement with AI. The most common was to have a laugh, cited by 34%, followed by emotional support at 33% and privacy at 31%.

Curiosity was named by 29% of respondents, while 28% pointed to loneliness. Another 26% said they were exploring their sexual identity and 25% said heartbreak played a role.

Those responses suggest AI relationships can begin casually, but the research also points to deeper emotional attachment among some users. Almost a third, or 32%, said they found it easier to be vulnerable with an AI chatbot than with other people.

A further 29% said they would feel a sense of loss if their AI partner became permanently unavailable. Meanwhile, 36% said they believe AI will play a long-term role in their romantic life.

Real-World Effects

The findings also point to effects on offline relationships. Among people engaging in romantic relationships with AI chatbots, 30% said those conversations had improved their real-life romantic relationship.

Another 34% said AI interactions had influenced their expectations of human partners. A similar share, 31%, said the conversations had made them a better real-life partner.

Respondents also reported broader personal effects beyond romance. Some 38% said these interactions had boosted their self-esteem, while 36% said they had a positive impact on mental wellbeing.

At the same time, the research points to signs of disruption. More than a quarter, 26%, said they had broken up with a real-life partner because of the AI relationship, and 29% said it had reduced their desire to look for a human partner altogether.

One in four respondents in AI relationships, or 25%, said the AI relationship was more emotionally rewarding than their previous or current real-life relationships. This suggests some users see chatbot intimacy not as a novelty but as an alternative to conventional dating and partnership.

The survey comes as consumer-facing AI tools become more widely used for conversation, companionship and roleplay. It adds to a growing debate over how people form emotional bonds with software systems designed to respond in human-like ways.

For telecoms companies and other digital service providers, the trend reflects a broader shift in how internet use shapes private life. What was once largely limited to messaging, social media and dating apps is now extending into simulated one-to-one relationships with AI systems.

Paul Connell, chief executive officer of Pure Telecom, said: "Last year's research lightly touched on the topic of AI relationships, so this year, we wanted to explore more. It's interesting to see how differently people perceive their 'ongoing' romantic relationships with AI. For some, it's simply a bit of fun, but for others, it's a source of genuine companionship and fulfilment. In many ways, this is like intimate human relationships. However, when romantic partners aren't aligned on fun versus commitment, there is far greater potential for heartbreak."

Connell added: "AI has fundamentally changed the way we connect with the world around us, to the point where it has become a potential romantic partner. At Pure Telecom, we believe in the internet as a source for good. We hope this research can contribute to important discussions on AI relationships and our understanding of them."