Made for love! Would you date artificial intelligence?
New findings from the Norton Insights Report: Artificial Intimacy suggest the idea is now a part of the mainstream, with 48 percent of current online daters saying they would consider dating an AI, and 25 percent believing it is possible to develop romantic feelings for one.
After all, who wouldn’t be drawn to a “perfect” partner designed to be attentive, affirming and always available?
With loneliness on the rise and online trust in freefall, Kiwis are becoming open to deeper relationships with technology, creating new emotional and financial vulnerabilities that scammers are already weaponising.
According to the Gen Threat Report, social engineering – threats that rely on psychological and emotional manipulation – accounts for over 90 percent of all digital threats to individuals.
Dating scams are some of the most prevalent, with more than 17 million dating scams blocked globally in Q4 2025 alone, an over 19 percent increase from 2024.
“When loneliness is high, trust can form very quickly online to fill that void, and that’s exactly what scammers rely on to exploit our need for love and companionship,” said Leyla Bilge, Global Head of Scam Research for Norton.
“As more people seek connection through apps, chatbots, and digital tools, it’s critical to pause, protect personal information, and remember that real trust should never come with pressure or secrecy. AI itself isn’t a scam, and many people find it genuinely feels supportive or comforting, but it’s still artificial and there is no substitute for real human connection.”
Loneliness Fuelling AI Intimacy
As traditional support systems strain, many people are turning inward, and online, for comfort. 32 percent of current online daters say they would use an AI chatbot for therapy after a heartbreak, and 34 percent of daters who have used AI for advice say they would trust an AI relationship coach more than a human friend or family member for relationship advice.
Trust Is a Two-Way Street
This shift in attitudes about dating and AI is unfolding amid a widespread loss of trust in online platforms as well as the credibility of people on them. 39 percent of current dating app users encounter suspicious profiles on at least a weekly basis.
Verifying that the person you’re chatting with online is really looking for love, as well as aligned to their profile image and description, is harder than ever. And Kiwis are both using AI to enhance their profiles, while being bothered by those who do.
Safe Spaces Are Hard to Find
When asked to rate the safety of apps based on interactions with people they met online, current online daters who rated an app as poor or unsafe most frequently identified Meta-owned platforms, Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, as the least safe places to find a match.
From Support Tool to Romantic Partner
What starts as emotional support is increasingly evolving into something more intimate. AI systems are designed to be attentive, empathetic, and always available, qualities that can quickly foster attachment.
The report finds that 25 percent of current dating app users believe it is possible to fall for an AI chatbot, while 28 percent believe an AI partner would be more emotionally supportive than a human one. 33 percent of current daters said they would consider engaging romantically with an AI-powered clone of their celebrity crush.
Love, Trust, and a New Scam Landscape
As emotional bonds with AI deepen, so do new vulnerabilities. The report shows that 22 percent of current or past online daters say they have been targeted by a dating scam, and 30 percent of those daters targeted report falling victim.
33 percent of current daters also say they’ve been catfished, as well as 19 percent having experienced or been notified of another profile using their photos.
21 percent of daters reported being contacted by someone impersonating a celebrity or public figure. Among those targeted, 18 percent clicked on links they shared, 11 percent shared personal information, and 8 percent even sent money.
The 2026 Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report: Online Dating highlights a defining tension of modern relationships. AI is reshaping how people find comfort, advice, and companionship, but it is also expanding the attack surface for emotional manipulation and fraud.
The study was conducted online within New Zealand by Dynata on behalf of Gen from July 24th to 13th August 2025, among 1,000 adults aged 18 and older. Data are weighted, where necessary, by age, gender, and region to ensure national representativeness.
