TEMPE, Ariz. and PRAGUE — Would you date artificial intelligence? New findings from the Norton Insights Report: Artificial Intimacy suggest the idea is now mainstream, with 77% of current online daters saying they would consider dating an AI, and 59% believing it is possible to develop romantic feelings for one. After all, who wouldn’t be drawn to a „perfect“ partner designed to be attentive, affirming and always available?
This shift in attitudes about dating and AI is unfolding amid a widespread loneliness epidemic. More than four in five (81%) people report feeling lonely, with rates even higher among Gen Z and Millennials (89%). With emotional isolation levels high, many are becoming open to deeper relationships with technology, creating new emotional and financial vulnerabilities that scammers are already weaponizing. According to the Gen Threat Report, social engineering – threats that rely on psychological and emotional manipulation – accounts for over 90% of all digital threats to individuals. Dating scams are some of the most prevalent, with more than 17 million dating scams blocked in Q4 2025 alone, an over 19% increase from 2024.