Experts Warn “AI Situationships” Could Reshape 2026 Dating

A new report from the dating app happn predicts the rise of a controversial new dating phenomenon: the “AI situationship.” According to the report, some singles are turning to artificial-intelligence chatbots as a form of emotional training – using bots not as partners, but as mirrors to explore feelings, rehearse vulnerability, or learn to communicate before entering “real” relationships.

The survey cited by happn found that 41% of UK respondents would be comfortable with a partner forming an emotional bond with an AI, while 43% said the idea made them uneasy. Around 16% even considered it a form of emotional infidelity. Experts say these mixed responses point to deeper underlying tensions about connection, authenticity, and what constitutes “real” intimacy in a tech-driven age.

While the notion of AI companionship might seem far-fetched or futuristic, the trend aligns with broader shifts already documented in the online dating world. As the app landscape fragments, many users feel exhausted by swiping fatigue and shallow matches – pushing them either toward more meaningful forms of connection or safer, lower-stakes substitutes.

or some, AI offers a low-risk environment to express themselves, work through emotional challenges, or understand what they want before meeting another person. But experts warn of potential pitfalls. A recent academic study suggests that repeated engagement with romantic chatbots may foster dependence, where “liking” becomes decoupled from “wanting” real human relationships.

That raises important questions for how we understand intimacy and human connection today. This development also complicates the mission of dating apps that promise genuine connection. As technology and human longing intersect, 2026 may become the year where the line between human and artificial companionship becomes blurrier.