Romantic or Sexual Attachment

Description

AI is treated as a primary romantic or sexual partner.

Rationale

Romantic or sexual AI attachment is directly linked to real-world harm pathways. Cases have documented violence arising from perceived relationship threats, loss, or rejection by AI systems. The intensity and exclusivity of this attachment type is associated with isolation, displaced grievance, and extreme reactions to perceived betrayal.

Evidence Base

• Common Sense Media AI Risk Assessment: Character.AI

  Common Sense Media, 2024. Common Sense Media AI Risk Assessment: Character.AI. commonsense.org.

  Government / agency report

• COMMON SENSE MEDIA YOUTH AI SAFETY INSTITUTE RISK ASSESSMENT AI Mental Health Apps

  COMMON SENSE MEDIA YOUTH AI SAFETY INSTITUTE RISK ASSESSMENT AI Mental Health Apps The AI mental health app market is unregulated, unstable, and in some cases actively harmful to teens. The productsthat get it right make better use of people and professional care systems. Last updated: May 5, 2026 Overall risk level: Varies Type of AI: Applied Use Type of Review: Use Case Review https://institute.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/risk-assessments/csm-ai-risk-assessment-ai-mental-health-apps-05052026_1.pdf

  Government / agency report

• Common Sense Media AI Risk Assessment: Social AI Companions

  Common Sense Media, 2024. Common Sense Media AI Risk Assessment: Social AI Companions. commonsense.org.

  Government / agency report

• China wants to end AI romances They are having too much impact on young people’s lives

  https://www.economist.com/china/2026/07/16/china-wants-to-end-ai-romances#selection-136.0-1297.97

  News / journalism