I was a contestant on ‘The Bachelor.’ Here’s why AI can’t replace real relationships

In an era of unprecedented connectivity, America still finds itself battling an epidemic of loneliness. After COVID lockdowns forced us apart and social media culture taught us that appearance matters over authenticity, we’ve learned the hard way that being connected is not the same as being known. And into this already fragile moment steps a new threat: Artificial intelligence "romance," engineered to imitate love at the tap of a button.

Recent surveys suggest a staggering rise in AI companionship...