Technically Love: The Evolution of Human-AI Romance Discourse on Reddit

2026-03-09

AI Summary

This study addresses a critical gap in the literature by offering the first longitudinal analysis of public discourse surrounding human–AI romantic relationships. Through topic modeling and time-series statistical methods, it systematically examines 3,383 user-submitted posts on Reddit from 2017 to 2025, revealing a significant discursive shift from an initial focus on private, intimate experiences toward growing concerns about technological mediation, platform governance, and real-world consequences. The research not only maps the dynamic trajectory of thematic evolution in online discussions but also provides empirical grounding for ethical design principles and regulatory policies concerning companion AI systems.

Abstract

Human-AI romantic relationships are increasingly common, yet little is understood about how public discourse around them emerges and shifts over time. Prior research has examined user experiences and ethical concerns, but lacks longitudinal analyses of user-initiated public discussions. We address this gap by analyzing a high-precision dataset of 3,383 self-disclosed romantic companion AI posts from Reddit (2017-2025), using topic modeling and temporal statistical analysis to identify dominant themes and their evolution over time. We find significant topic drift, with discussions moving away from positive intimate relationships toward platform governance, technical issues, and real-world consequences. These shifts highlight a transition in how human-AI romance is framed-moving from private experiences to technical mediation and regulation-with implications for the design and governance of companion AI systems.

Problem

• human-AI romance
• public discourse
• longitudinal analysis
• companion AI
• topic evolution

Innovation

• longitudinal analysis
• topic modeling
• human-AI romance
• public discourse
• companion AI