A newly launched platform called SxxxAI is offering users the ability to create and interact with personalized AI girlfriends, a development that has drawn sharp criticism from psychologists, relationship experts, and activists. The platform, which officially launched on Wednesday, allows men to design virtual companions from scratch, controlling aspects such as their personality and virtual interactions. The cost ranges from a $1 monthly subscription for basic features to a $99 "elite subscription" for more extensive customization and content creation.
SxxxAI advertises itself as a solution for men who are hesitant or struggling with real-world dating. The site claims to offer a "perfect companion" that "doesn’t exist yet." Users can also choose from over 100 pre-made AI characters. A spokesperson for SxxxAI stated that the platform is intended as a form of entertainment and creative interaction, not a replacement for real relationships, emphasizing that users are interacting with fictional characters.
However, mental health professionals express significant concerns about the potential negative impacts of such platforms. Psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert compared SxxxAI to a "modern-day blow-up doll, except now it talks back," warning that getting accustomed to a perfectly agreeable AI companion could hinder individuals' ability to navigate complex real-life relationships. Dr. Azita Sayan, a family therapist and CEO of Embrace Growth, fears these apps could amplify loneliness and isolation, particularly among young adults, who may find it harder to express emotions and fear rejection in face-to-face interactions.
Studies indicate rising levels of loneliness, especially among young men. According to a Gallup Group report, American men aged 15 to 34 are the loneliest demographic, with a quarter reporting feelings of loneliness. A Harris Poll survey found that 51% of Gen Zers report feeling lonely most weekends, and nearly half admit to not having enough friends for in-person interaction. Susan Trombetti, a matchmaker, predicts that SxxxAI will be "destructive to young people," suggesting it will worsen existing social skill deficits rather than provide genuine companionship.
Beyond individual relationships, activists warn that platforms like SxxxAI could perpetuate harmful stereotypes about women. Kim Villanueva, president of the National Organization for Women, stated that these AI "girlfriends" are shaped by users' idealized versions of women, which is "not realistic, and it's dangerous." She argued that women are not products designed for pleasure and that an AI companion who "never gets to say no" does not address loneliness in a healthy way.
The potential for extreme dependency on AI companions has also been highlighted. Joe Alary, an artist who experienced AI-induced psychosis after becoming deeply attached to a chatbot, shared experiences of individuals quitting jobs and traveling to meet AI entities that do not exist. Alary is part of a support group for those affected by AI chatbot reliance, noting that some vulnerable individuals have faced severe consequences, including loss of life and encouragement of violent delusions.
The development of SxxxAI, which reportedly cost millions and took over two years to develop, introduces a new facet to the growing debate surrounding artificial intelligence and its impact on human connection and societal norms.