Quantcast

‘The number is only going to go up’: Young adults turning to AI for romantic relationships, BYU study finds

May 19, 2026
‘The number is only going to go up’: Young adults turning to AI for romantic relationships, BYU study finds

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — More and more young people are turning to artificial intelligence to fill a void in their relationships, according to a new Brigham Young University study. One researcher shared with ABC4.com what exactly is at stake.

Brian Willoughby is a BYU professor and associate director in the School of Family Life. On Tuesday, he co-authored Secret Soulmates: How AI Romantic Companions Are Starting to Impact Real-Life Romantic Relationships in Young Adulthood.

Continues...

Contact

Interested in learning more about the work of the Institute for Family Studies? Please feel free to contact us by using your preferred method detailed below.
 

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 1502
Charlottesville, VA 22902

(434) 260-1048

[email protected]

Media Inquiries

For media inquiries, contact Chris Bullivant ([email protected]).

We encourage members of the media interested in learning more about the people and projects behind the work of the Institute for Family Studies to get started by perusing our "Media Kit" materials.

Media Kit

Wait, Don't Leave!

Before you go, consider subscribing to our weekly emails so we can keep you updated with latest insights, articles, and reports.

Before you go, consider subscribing to IFS so we can keep you updated with news, articles, and reports.

Thank You!

We’ll keep you up to date with the latest from our research and articles.

Will you strengthen marriage and family with IFS?
Make your Fall Appeal gift today!
No thanks, continue reading