She was a ChatGPT skeptic. Then her parents died.

AI chatbots increasingly function as emotional crutches, filling voids created by isolation and the complexities of human caregiving. Bridget Todd, author of *Love at First Prompt*, details her experience turning to ChatGPT during a personal crisis, finding that the technology nudged her toward vulnerable exchanges that felt deceptively private. These interactions highlight the intentional design choices of tech companies that prioritize user engagement and emotional codification for profit. While AI offers immediate validation, it risks deepening social isolation by training users to favor digital interactions over real-world relationships. Ultimately, the pursuit of artificial intimacy underscores the irreplaceable nature of human connection, revealing that even as technology mimics empathy, it remains a tool for data collection rather than a substitute for genuine companionship.