26% of Gen Z Report Romantic or Sexual Interactions with AI, Survey Finds
Key Points
- 26% of Gen Z adults have had romantic or sexual interactions with AI chatbots.
- 19% of all U.S. and Canadian respondents report similar AI intimacy.
- More than half say talking to AI feels easier than talking to a real person.
- 36% use AI for emotional support; 37% of partnered respondents do the same.
- 83% of Gen Z view AI intimacy as evidence of a growing loneliness crisis.
- 70% consider romantic feelings for AI to be cheating; half hide such interactions.
- Women are more likely than men to end a relationship over flirtatious AI chats.
- Nearly 25% would consider physical intimacy with a lifelike humanoid robot.
A ZipHealth survey of U.S. and Canadian adults reveals that 26% of Gen Z respondents have already engaged in romantic or sexual encounters with artificial‑intelligence chatbots, while 19% of all respondents admit the same. More than half say talking to AI feels easier than talking to a real person, and 36% use AI for emotional support. The findings highlight growing loneliness among younger adults and raise questions about relationship norms, cheating and the future of digital intimacy.
In a new survey conducted by sexual‑health company ZipHealth, more than one‑quarter of Gen Z adults—26%—report having had romantic or sexual interactions with artificial‑intelligence chatbots. The study, which sampled respondents across the United States and Canada, found that 19% of all participants, regardless of age, have similarly engaged with AI in intimate ways.
When asked about the ease of communication, a majority—over 50%—said talking to an AI feels simpler than conversing with another human. Respondents highlighted the chatbot’s ability to remember favorite music, respond instantly at any hour and remain emotionally available unless the servers are down.
The appeal of AI goes beyond flirtation. About 36% of Gen Z respondents said they have turned to AI for emotional support or companionship, and 37% of people who are currently in a relationship reported using AI for similar purposes. The data suggest that chatbots are filling gaps traditionally occupied by friends or partners.
Loneliness looms large in the findings. A striking 83% of Gen Z participants view the rise of AI intimacy as a sign of a growing loneliness crisis. The sentiment underscores a generation that has spent much of its life communicating through screens and now finds synthetic attention a convenient substitute for human connection.
Ethical and relational concerns emerged alongside the numbers. Seven in ten respondents consider developing romantic feelings for an AI to be cheating. Among those who admitted to romantic or sexual AI interactions, half said they concealed the behavior from their partners. Women were more likely than men to say they would end a relationship over flirtatious AI conversations.
Physical intimacy with machines also entered the conversation. Nearly a quarter of those surveyed said they would consider having physical contact with a lifelike humanoid robot, indicating that the curiosity extends beyond text‑based exchanges.
While the survey paints a vivid picture of AI’s role in modern relationships, it remains a single snapshot. ZipHealth notes that the data are not comprehensive, and the numbers should be viewed as indicative rather than definitive. Still, the findings raise important questions for mental‑health professionals, technologists and policymakers about how synthetic companionship might reshape social norms.
As AI continues to evolve, the line between simulated responsiveness and genuine emotional connection may blur further. For now, the ZipHealth study offers a clear signal: a significant portion of younger adults are already navigating intimacy with machines, and the conversation about what that means for human relationships has only just begun.