Jessica Leoni, a world-leading expert on cheating, initially argued that extramarital relationships with AI bots should not be considered cheating, likening it to using pornography. However, she has now changed her stance, admitting that she was wrong, and believes that engaging with AI bots outside a relationship should indeed be classified as cheating. The change in her opinion came after a heated discussion on the topic between GMB hosts Susannah Reid and Richard Madeley.

Public opinion in the UK has also shifted, as a recent poll conducted by Illicitencounters.com revealed that 59% of respondents now consider relationships with AI bots as cheating, compared to 74% who held a different view just two months prior.

The popularity of platforms offering AI bots for companionship has surged, with Replika AI and Chai Research being notable players in the field. Replika AI reported that around 42% of its users are in a relationship, married, or engaged.

Leoni attributes the changing perspective on AI bot relationships to the increasing popularity of such platforms and the media stories highlighting cases where couples and individuals have been impacted by using AI bots outside their relationships.

She emphasizes the importance of adapting expert opinions to the evolving landscape of online cheating, driven by AI technology. Leoni also stresses that real-life cheating facilitated on websites like Illicitencounters.com is distinct from casual engagement with AI bots and that concerns should be raised about the latter.

Summarized by ChatGPT