Just a few years ago, the idea of someone marrying their AI chatbot might have sounded like the plot of a film. Today, it is no longer just an idea. In July 2025, an article in The Guardian featured people who describe their relationships with chatbots as deeply meaningful, including a man who “married” his AI beloved “in a digital ceremony”. Later that month, a piece in GQ explored how AI girlfriends are reshaping the way men express vulnerability and emotional need. These examples reflect a broader shift in how people relate to technology. In a world where media outlets and government bodies warn of an “epidemic of loneliness”, and long-term relationships face increasing strain, the rise of AI companions points to our growing willingness to treat non-human entities as emotionally significant partners.
How users can make their AI companions feel real, from picking personality traits to creating fan art
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Researchers at the Virginia Tech National Security Institute recently used active open-source intelligence techniques to gain a better understanding of how presidential campaigns use email addresses.This post was originally published on this site
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Overwhelming evidence of genocide against Palestinians: A legal expert unpacks the UN report on Gaza
On September 16, 2025, the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry (COI) on the occupied Palestinian territory including East Jerusalem and Israel issued its third report on the situation in Gaza since October 7, 2023.This post [...] -
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in public administration is increasing worldwide—including in the allocation of social services such as unemployment benefits, housing benefits, and social welfare. However, an international research team from the Max [...]
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For 10 days in April 2025, Pakistan almost came to a standstill. No freight was moving from its only port city, Karachi, towards the population centers in the north. The cause was the government’s announcement [...]
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The UK’s new digital ID card scheme, announced by Keir Starmer on September 26, has two big questions swirling around it. Is it a solution to illegal immigration? And will it give the government too [...]
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When people think about politics, they often imagine elections, protests or politicians arguing on TV—but what if political processes are also shaped by the small, everyday feelings and moments that most of us might not [...]
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How can we get the majority to recognize the discrimination experienced by minorities? A new study examines this question. The results show that both cold facts and warm stories can change perceptions—but in different ways.This [...]
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People actively seeking conspiracy content involving anti-establishment sentiment—distrust in institutions like the media or health care—will find it regularly on TikTok and YouTube.This post was originally published on this site
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As of September 1, 2024, there are 17 states with clear deflection pathways articulated in state law, steering people with substance use and/or mental health disorders away from incarceration, according to new data published by [...]
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Youth protesters in Nepal are in the global spotlight for their angry response to the government’s sweeping social media ban in an apparent attempt to silence their dissent. The government’s actions ignited mass protests—led largely [...]
