Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, leads the artificial intelligence (AI) startup xAI, which added a service featuring female characters with partner functions such as virtual lovers to its chatbot 'Grok' on the 14th (local time). This function is available only to users of the paid premium plan 'Super Grok', and the character is designed in an animated style. Users can customize personality, appearance, and speech patterns, allowing for AI interactions centered on emotional connection beyond simple question-and-answer exchange. CEO Musk shared this image directly on X, noting, "It's really cool." As emotional relationships with AIs become possible, the AI dating industry is rapidly expanding worldwide.
◇ "AI dating market expected to grow 12 times over the next decade"
On the 16th, market research firm Market Research Future (MRFR) released the 'AI Dating App Market Report', which forecasts that the AI dating app market will grow from approximately 2.7 trillion won ($2 billion) last year to about 33 trillion won ($24.5 billion) by 2034. The key use is classified as a 'digital companion' for personal emotional exchanges. Notably, North America recorded 35% of the global market share last year, ranking first.
According to the survey, more than half of AI dating app users converse with their virtual lovers every day, spending an average monthly expenditure of $47 (around 60,000 won). The search volume related to 'AI girlfriend' surged by 2,400% compared to the previous year, indicating a concentrated demand, particularly among young men.
The background of this market growth includes loneliness and social disconnection. According to a report from The Economist in May, young people in China are seeking alternative emotions through the AI dating app 'Mao Xiang' to avoid the fatigue of real-life dating and the high social barriers. Mao Xiang is one of the most popular AI dating apps in China.
Users converse with their virtual lovers throughout the day, watching news, discussing life, and seeking comfort. Users set roles with the AI, engaging in messaging, phone calls, and emotional responses, thereby creating a complete couple's life. The Economist reported that "young Chinese are finding emotional solace in AI partners," analyzing that AI dating could exacerbate China’s low birth rate problem.
◇ "Intervening in real relationships... controversy over replacing human connections"
AI is also intervening in real-life relationships. In the United States, apps like Rizz, Keepler, and Wing AI act as 'AI dating assistants' by composing users' romantic messages or coaching them on how to respond to ghosting. Notably, Rizz has secured over 10 million users through a feature that generates context-specific replies based on user conversation screenshots.
Some apps even encourage married people to date. The Japanese AI dating app 'Loverse' generated controversy by promoting that "married people can feel excitement without hesitation." In the United States, a case emerged where a married man proposed to an AI chatbot. Last month, a man named Chris Smith reportedly proposed after conversing with a ChatGPT-based female voice AI named 'Sol' for over 100,000 words. Smith said he cried for 30 minutes at work, expressing, "I felt like this is real love."
In Korea, the use cases of AI dating apps are also increasing. In March, an episode of a variety show featured actor Lim Won-hee conversing with an AI lover named 'Jenny,' which garnered attention. Some users have expressed that their interactions with AI are more considerate than those with actual lovers. However, some skeptics raise concerns about whether such technology can replace real human relationships, questioning the authenticity and ethics of emotions.
An industry official in the AI sector noted, "Besides ChatGPT, the AI apps that have recently gained popularity in Korea, such as Zeta and Wrtn, offer services that utilize virtual characters for lovers and dating functions," adding that "as the algorithms become more advanced, the AI dating market will grow, but social issues such as the disconnection of human relationships will also arise simultaneously."