Can Love Survive AI?

AI isn’t just transforming the way we work and create; it’s rewriting the rules of love. And with wedding season in full swing and romance blooming like it’s algorithmically timed, there’s no better moment to ask: is love still real or just really good code? Whether it’s the app that lands you your next first date or the chatbot playing digital wingman, artificial intelligence has officially entered the chat ... and the relationship. 

To dig into this digital love story, I spoke with two of our very best: Leyla Bilge, Global Head of Scam Research, and Michal Salát, Director of Threat Intelligence. Their findings? Let’s just say swiping right could cost more than you thought. 

Swipe Right on AI (But Maybe Don’t) 

Dating apps used to be a place where you nervously sent “hey” at 2 a.m. Now? They’re a minefield of algorithmically crafted romance scams. According to the latest Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report – Online Dating (NCSIR), 48% of people have used a dating app and many are flirting with more than they bargained for. 

Leyla didn’t mince words: 1 in 4 daters have been targeted by scams, with romance scams topping the list at 37%. AI is making it even easier to fake a spark — think photorealistic avatars and love-bombing bots fluent in emotional manipulation. 

And here's the kicker: 56% of dating app users say they'd use AI to write a pick-up line. Sure, it’s efficient — but is it authentic? 

But wait, there’s more (and it gets weirder). 

Can You Really Fall in Love with Code? 

Turns out, some folks are ditching messy human connections altogether in favor of AI-generated soulmates. Yep, you can now build your own virtual lover. 

“There are websites that allow you to create your own friend or spouse or partner with all the kinks that you want. Plus, there are already reports of people falling in love with these AI personas,” said Michal. 

While it might feel like a safe emotional sandbox, Leyla warns there’s a dark undercurrent: 

“When people start talking to AI, they might feel satisfied with that relationship for the time being. But in the end, they build nothing and are completely alone in life.” 

Temporary companionship... or long-term isolation? As AI starts mimicking our deepest emotional patterns, that line gets dangerously blurry. 

Disconnecting at Home 

AI’s reach goes beyond your love life. It’s quietly rewriting the script on family and friendships, too. 

Michal pointed out how chatbots, voice assistants and AI-infused games are subtly replacing real conversations. That bedtime story from Grandma? Now it’s Alexa with a bedtime timer. That math help from Dad? An AI tutor’s got it. 

“People used to interact with their kids much more, sharing stories passed down for generations. Now, we don’t do that anymore, and in the process, we risk losing everything, especially our heritage," said Leyla. 

“If you talk to your kids and tell them the stories of your past, you’re getting to know each other and the family heritage. If I was interacting rather with a computer program, I would never know,” added Michal. 

The fallout is already visible: 

“Kids now spend hours doing homework with a ‘friend’, an AI model, rather than with a parent, as they would have five or ten years ago,” Michal observed. 

That subtle shift: human bonds quietly outsourced to machines. This may be the biggest relationship threat yet. 

AI: The Master of Deception 

Let’s not forget AI’s talent for trickery. From dating profiles to full-blown personas, the line between real and fake is disintegrating. 

According to the NCSIR, 29% of dating app users admit to digitally altering their photos. But we’re not just talking filters. Think deepfakes, voice clones and entire OnlyFans accounts run by AI. 

“We recently looked into an OnlyFans model that’s fully AI-generated, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish whether we’re interacting with a real person or AI,” said Michal. 

And it’s not just visual. 

“We’ll see how this affects kids and others over time. But already, we’re seeing people lose the boundary and no longer realize they’re not talking to a real person,” he warned. 

That uncanny valley? It’s now your group chat. 

Stay Real in the Age of AI 

Whether it’s a chatty AI companion or a too-good-to-be-true dating match, the rules of engagement have changed. But you’re not powerless. 

Awareness is your superpower. Tools like Norton Genie, our free AI-powered scam detector, can help you spot the fakes in real time. Because let’s face it, not all matches are made in heaven. Some are made in a server farm. 

As AI tightens its grip on our emotional lives, we owe it to ourselves (and each other) to stay connected to what’s real. 

Education is key to protecting ourselves in the age of AI, says Leyla and Michal. 

You don’t need to ditch tech to protect your relationships. But you do need to open your eyes. 

Curious what’s next? Check out our 2025 predictions blog to see what else we’re thinking.