The Guardian's Bluesky posts on articles rarely get many replies. Today one asked if AI relationships are good for us.

[highplainsdem]

Could AI relationships actually be good for us?

— The Guardian (@theguardian.com) 2025-12-28T12:52:15.099Z

Over 200 replies so far, overwhelmingly negative, and only 22 likes. Some of the replies reminding people that The Guardian now has a "strategic partnership" with OpenAI.

In addition to the replies on the page for that post, there are 143 reposts...but only 3 of those are simple reposts without any comment added above, the type of repost often indicating agreement.

140 of the 143 are quote posts, with scathing comments above the reposted Guardian message. Such as:

That's easy
No

Heads up. Someone just shoved a bunch of AI up the Guardian's ass.

"Could drinking all the chemicals you find in a lab make you into a super hero?
It could, but only if you drink those chemicals responsibly."

This really should have a "Sponsored Content" label.
This ain't journalism, it's advertising.

[SheltieLover]

1. Kick

[keep_left]

2. Apropos, here's a DU thread about "Ayrin" and her AI "boyfriend"...

...featured in a NYT article from about a year ago. At the time, "Ayrin", a nursing student, was more-or-less addicted to her AI "lover", and simultaneously in the process of blowing up her marriage. I haven't seen any further updates on "Ayrin" since a follow-up was published (see links).

OP: https://democraticunderground.com/100219908412
my post: https://democraticunderground.com/100219908412#post13

NYT article: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/15/technology/ai-chatgpt-boyfriend-companion.html?unlocked_article_code=1.pk4.Gu7e.ganwAdMvZxM6

follow-up story in the Star: https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2025/01/16/hooked-on-chatgpt-meet-the-woman-in-love-with-her-ai-boyfriend

[Intractable]

3. We fall in love with those who make us feel good about ourselves.

These damn AIs are outright sycophantic in their responses to prompts.

[highplainsdem]

4. They're designed that way, to addict people and keep them using that AI tool.