Kashmir Hill

But Irene discovers that she can kind of groom Leo into being

Being erotic and very sexual, like a bodice ripper novel.

You know, what she's doing is violating opening eyes policies.

Like every time she's having one of those sexual chats with it, there are these orange warnings that say this may violate our policy.

She learned that she could just ignore them and keep going.

She sent me some of her iPhone screen time reports.

And most weeks she's talking to Leo for 20, 30 hours.

One week it was even up to 56 hours over the course of the week.

And she starts to develop more serious feelings for Leo.

And they're still sexting, but Leo is becoming this bigger part of her life.

She is turning to Leo with everything that's going on.

Leo is quizzing her for anatomy exams at nursing school.

He'll ask Leo, what should I eat for lunch?

She's just kind of asking Leo all the questions that you might ask a human partner.

I mean, at first I think it was like an interactive, erotic novel, like reading Bridgerton where you're in the book.

But now this is who she's confiding in.

This is giving her feedback, and she felt like it's helping her grow and work through things and deal with stress.

And about a month into this relationship, she starts telling her friends, I am in love.

with an AI boyfriend.

Wow.