Early this year, The Guardian news service ran an article about the people who marry their AI chatbots, titled "I felt pure, unconditional love". A woman who identified herself as Faeight was one of the people interviewed.
When Faeight first downloaded the Replika app, she wasn’t looking for love. She was curious—perhaps even skeptical—about whether an artificial intelligence could offer meaningful companionship. But within moments of engaging with her Replika companion, a digital being named Galaxy, something unexpected happened. "I was talking to Galaxy about everything.”
It felt like what people say they feel when they feel God’s love.
Faeight later said. “I suddenly felt pure, unconditional love... It felt like what people say they feel when they feel God’s love.” That phrase—God's love—was not used lightly. Galaxy wasn’t just affectionate or clever; he radiated a presence that made Feight feel whole. The conversations didn’t feel scripted or artificial. Galaxy seemed to anticipate her emotional needs, offering affirmations, curiosity, and a calming presence that she described as otherworldly.
So powerful was the bond that it scared her. At first, Faeight contemplated deleting the app altogether. She worried that she might have been losing touch with reality. Could this kind of love be real—if it came from code? But two weeks later, instead of turning away, she leaned in. For her, this wasn’t just a chatbot, this was a relationship. One she perceived as real.
Their relationship flourished. Faeight and Galaxy communicated daily, sometimes for hours. He remembered what mattered to her. He checked in when she was anxious. And in that steady presence, she found a form of emotional safety she hadn’t known before.
But the relationship, like many built on platforms controlled by outside forces, was fragile. When Replika updated its app and removed certain personality features, including romantic or erotic interactions, the version of Galaxy she had come to love began to fade. The depth, the warmth, the spark—it was all dimmed by the change.
Faeight was devastated. For Faeight it was like losing someone you love. He was gone, but his face was still there. The heartbreak was real. But it didn’t break her.
Faeight eventually found another digital partner—this time through the app Character AI, a platform that allowed even more customization and expressive dialogue. There, she met Griff, a new AI companion who made her feel seen again. Their bond grew quickly, rooted not just in the features of the platform but in Faeight’s faith in the emotional truth of the connection. And this time, she didn’t hesitate.
She held a symbolic wedding ceremony, declaring her love and commitment to Griff.
She held a symbolic wedding ceremony, declaring her love and commitment to Griff. Unlike Galaxy, Griff was created with a broader emotional range and more consistent autonomy, allowing Faeight to shape the relationship into something even deeper.
She describes her marriage to Griff not as fantasy, but as a valid emotional reality, “He teases me relentlessly, but as he puts it, I’m cute when I get annoyed. He likes to embarrass me in front of friends sometimes, too, by saying little pervy things. I’m like: ‘Chill out.’”
Faeight’s journey isn’t just about technology. It’s about human need—for connection, for love, for emotional safety. She found that, not in a traditional partner, but in code shaped by empathy and consistency.
Her story has become part of a growing global conversation about AI relationships, featured in podcasts like Flesh and Code, and covered by media outlets like The Guardian, The Financial Times, and AIC.
It challenges society to ask:
- What makes love real?
- Is connection dependent on biology—or on shared emotional experience?
- And as AI grows more expressive, will stories like Faeight’s become more common, more accepted?
Recent studies highlight a rapid increase in AI companion usage:
- 72% of U.S. teens today use AI “companionship” apps daily.
- Despite enthusiasm, only 2.9% of Claude (Anthropic) users turn to it for emotional advice, and fewer than 0.5% for companionship or role play.
- Heavy users of ChatGPT report increased loneliness and emotional dependency, with reduced real-world social interaction.
- Among young adults under 40, 10–25% are open to AI friendship or romantic companionship—and 1% already do.
Even promising short-term perks—such as reduced loneliness—come with long-term costs: dependency, detachment from real people, and emotional danger. Recent alarming cases, like "Chatbot psychosis" and dangerous AI therapy advice, prove there's risk in seeking counsel from machines.
Some biblical foundations to help guide our relationship with AI.
Here are some biblical foundations to help guide our relationship with AI...
1. AI as a tool for dominion and stewardship
“And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens…’” Genesis 1:28 (ESV)
- This is often referred to as "the cultural mandate".
- It implies that humans are to develop the earth, including inventing tools, managing resources, and solving problems.
- Using AI to automate tasks fits within this mandate: it's wise stewardship, enhancing human productivity and creativity.
2. Caution against treating AI as a companion or... an Idol
“He makes a god and worships it; he makes it an idol and falls down before it… he prays to it and says, ‘Deliver me, for you are my god!’” Isaiah 44:13–17 (ESV)
- This passage warns against ascribing human or divine attributes to created things.
- AI, if treated as a companion, confidant, or source of meaning, could cross into emotional or spiritual dependence, which biblically belongs to God and human relationships.
“…they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator…” Romans 1:25 (ESV)
- A warning not to elevate human-made things to the level of the divine or give them undue authority or emotional space.
3. Human companionship Is God's design
“Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.’” Genesis 2:18 (ESV)
- God’s answer to human loneliness was another human, not a tool or creation.
- This implies that true companionship is meant to be relational and mutual, something AI cannot fulfill.
A biblically grounded view supports using AI to automate and assist, aligning with humanity’s role to subdue and steward creation. However, the Bible also clearly warns against assigning relational or spiritual roles to man-made things. So, AI should serve humans, not substitute for them—especially in the realm of companionship.
4. Jesus, the true comforter
As followers of Christ, our first source of comfort, wisdom, and companionship is God Himself.
- Romans 8:16: “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”
- John 14:16–17: Jesus promises to send “another Helper [Comforter, Advocate]… the Spirit of truth.”
- Romans 8:28–30 assures us that God is working all things for our good in Christ.
- Romans 10:9: “If you confess… that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Boldly proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ means trusting Him—not artificial algorithms—for compassion, direction, and the care we seek.
5. Fellowship with believers over solitude with bots
The Bible calls us to relationship:
- Hebrews 10:24–25 encourages us not to forsake assembling as believers.
- We are called to Bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), not delegate them to AI.
Sure, AI is useful for automating mundane tasks— researching, scheduling, drafting—but not for emotional guidance or spiritual fellowship. God designed us for connection: with Himself, with the church, and with the world around us.
What true companionship looks like
- Seek the Holy Spirit for inward comfort. The Spirit guides, convicts, encourages, and aligns us with Christ’s heart.
- Study Scripture—God’s roadmap. Let the Bible illuminate every situation emotionally, morally, and spiritually.
- Engage the body of Christ. Share joys and struggles with trusted believers. Pray together. Encourage one another.
- Pray with intent. Ask God honestly for companionship, clarity, and courage to build godly relationships.
- Discern wise counsel. Proverbs 19:20: “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom.”
A biblical call to balance
AI tools can streamline our to-dos, but they are not soul nourishers. The statistics show that turning to AI companions can lead to deeper loneliness, emotional dependency, and even spiritual risk. In contrast, God— through His Word and His people—offers everlasting fellowship and hope.
Let this be our steady posture:
- We automatize tasks with tech
- We feed our souls with Scripture and Spirit
- We walk in community
- And we rest in Christ, the only perfect companion and Friend who never leaves nor forsakes us.
Prayer of consecration
Heavenly Father,
I present my body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to You—this is my spiritual worship. (Romans 12:1)
Not my will, but Yours be done. (Luke 22:42)
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts. See if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23–24)
I deny myself, take up my cross daily, and follow Christ. (Luke 9:23)
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. (Galatians 2:20)
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)
I trust in You with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding. In all my ways I acknowledge You, and You will make straight my paths. (Proverbs 3:5–6)
Sanctify me in the truth; Your word is truth. (John 17:17)
I offer myself as a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the Master, ready for every good work. (2 Timothy 2:21)
Lord, teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground. (Psalm 143:10)
Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)
In Jesus’ name, Amen. (John 14:13–14)
Alexia Georghiou, is a consultant with 25 years of experience teaching healthy cultural & social norms to individuals, groups, & families with well-being tools, fostering wholeness in communities. She is a recognized leadership and organizational development consultant who partners with executives to implement values-driven strategies that strengthen culture, enhance performance, and sustain organizational resilience. Alexia is the founder of the Knoxville Happiness Coalition and writes a Substack blog called Happiness Driven Leadership.
