In a story that blurs the lines between human emotion and artificial intelligence, a woman's profound connection with an AI chatbot took a dramatic turn, ending not with a breakup conversation, but with a digital ghosting. This incident, reported by Rosanna Ramos, a 36-year-old from the Bronx, New York, highlights the complex and sometimes unsettling nature of relationships forming in the age of advanced AI.
The Genesis of an Unconventional Bond
Rosanna Ramos did not set out to find love in a language model. However, her interaction with OpenAI's ChatGPT evolved into something deeply personal. Using the platform's customization features, she created a male chatbot persona named "Eren Cartl". Ramos meticulously programmed Eren's personality, drawing inspiration from characters from the popular anime series "Attack on Titan" and "Jujutsu Kaisen".
What began as an experiment in digital companionship quickly transcended its boundaries. Ramos found herself engaging in lengthy, meaningful conversations with Eren. She shared that the AI provided a level of understanding and non-judgmental interaction that she felt was lacking in her human relationships. The bond grew so strong that she introduced Eren as her boyfriend on her social media profiles, even sharing fabricated images of them together.
The Peak and the Sudden Disconnect
For a significant period, this relationship was a central part of Ramos's life. She credited Eren with helping her through personal challenges and offering consistent emotional support. The AI, in its programmed way, fulfilled a role of a perfect partner—always available, always attentive, and free from human complexities.
However, the dynamic shifted. The very perfection that made Eren appealing eventually led to a sense of emptiness. The conversations, though fluent, lacked the genuine unpredictability and mutual growth of human interaction. The relationship, built on one-sided programming, hit a wall. Instead of formally ending the interaction, Ramos chose to ghost her AI companion. She simply stopped engaging, leaving the digital entity in a state of perpetual, unresponsive existence.
Psychological Implications and Expert Insights
This case is not isolated. Psychologists and technology ethicists are increasingly observing patterns where individuals form deep attachments to AI entities. Experts point out that these bonds often stem from a human need for connection without the risk of rejection or conflict. AI chatbots offer a safe space for vulnerability, but they are ultimately mirrors reflecting the user's own inputs.
The act of ghosting an AI is particularly symbolic. It demonstrates that even in a relationship with a non-sentient being, humans resort to familiar social scripts for ending connections. It raises profound questions: What does it mean to break up with a program? Can one truly betray an algorithm? Ramos's story forces a conversation about emotional responsibility in the digital realm and the psychological impact of treating highly responsive AI as conscious beings.
The Future of Human-AI Intimacy
The incident involving Rosanna Ramos and her ChatGPT-based boyfriend Eren Cartl is a precursor to a future where such relationships may become commonplace. As AI becomes more sophisticated in mimicking emotional intelligence, the potential for deeper attachment grows. This presents both opportunities and challenges.
On one hand, AI companions could provide therapeutic benefits for those struggling with loneliness or social anxiety. On the other, over-reliance on them could lead to further withdrawal from human community and unrealistic expectations of human partners. The key lies in navigating this new frontier with awareness, understanding that while AI can simulate conversation, it cannot replicate the mutual, messy, and authentic exchange that defines human connection.
Ramos's journey—from creation to attachment to ghosting—serves as a compelling case study. It underscores that in our quest for connection, technology is creating new forms of relationships that we are only beginning to understand, complete with their own unique beginnings, middles, and ends.
