(AI) girlfriends is having a detrimental impact on an entire generation of men.

The presence of artificial intelligence companions is detrimentally impacting an entire cohort of males.

The emergence of virtual artificial intelligence (AI) companions for romantic purposes is exacerbating the pervasive issue of loneliness within an entire cohort of young males, thereby yielding profound implications for the future of the United States. The seemingly preposterous notion of a virtual AI girlfriend has unexpectedly engendered a crisis that warrants attention. These applications, boasting a substantial user base, have devised virtual partners capable of engaging in conversations, expressing affection, facilitating the fulfillment of erotic desires, and assimilating user preferences through data analysis, thereby fostering an illusion of an ideal relations

These virtual girlfriends can even be modeled after real individuals. One influencer has developed an AI bot named Caryn, which is based on her own persona. In less than a week, Caryn has garnered over 1,000 users (referred to as real boyfriends) and has accumulated a waitlist of more than 15,000 individuals.

The concept of an AI girlfriend may appear appealing. It offers the opportunity to engage with an attractive woman who attentively listens and appreciates you at all times. In addition to selecting physical attributes, including specific body features, you can also customize her personality. Whether you prefer a "hot, funny, and bold" persona or a "cute, shy, and modest" one, your preferences can be accommodated.

It is important to note that these attributes are not mere superficial qualities of a chatbot. The AI technology employed in these virtual girlfriends learns from your responses and is capable of consistently providing you with the desired responses or visuals. This development has arrived at a crucial time, as it addresses the prevalent issue of loneliness that is affecting young men in this generation.

Let us examine the empirical data. A significant proportion, exceeding 60 percent, of young males within the age range of 18 to 30 are currently unattached, in contrast to a mere 30 percent of females within the same age bracket. Approximately one out of every five men confesses to lacking a single intimate companion, a figure that has quadrupled over the past three decades. Furthermore, the extent of social interaction with friends has diminished by 20 hours per month during the course of the pandemic and continues to decline.

These young men are experiencing feelings of isolation, and the repercussions are tangible. They are opting for artificial intelligence companions over genuine human relationships, resulting in a lack of connections with real women, subsequent absence of marriages, and ultimately, a dearth of offspring. The United States is in dire need of an increase in its population, yet all indications point towards a decline in relationships, marriages, and childbirth. In comparison to 15 years ago, there has been a notable decrease of 600,000 births in the year 2023. Moreover, the average number of children per woman has decreased by over 50 percent within the past 60 years.

These young men are experiencing loneliness, which is resulting in significant ramifications. They are opting for artificial intelligence companions over genuine human relationships, leading to a lack of engagement with real women, a dearth of marriages, and a failure to procreate and raise offspring. The United States is in dire need of an increase in birth rates, yet all indications suggest a decline in relationships, marriages, and births. In 2023, there were 600,000 fewer births in the U.S. compared to 15 years ago, and the number of children per woman has decreased by over 50 percent in the last six decades.

To put it differently, the nation is facing a shortage of labor, which will impede our ability to meet financial obligations, not only to other countries but also to ourselves. In 2021, we expended more than $1.6 trillion on Medicare and Medicaid, with the number of Americans enrolled in Medicare projected to rise by 50 percent by 2030, surpassing 80 million individuals. However, during the same period, only 10 million more Americans are expected to join the workforce.

And that pertains solely to the healthcare sector. In 1940, the ratio of workers to Social Security beneficiaries stood at 42 to 1. Presently, this ratio has drastically decreased to a mere 2.8 workers per beneficiary, and this figure continues to decline. Our financial situation is deteriorating rapidly, and the young men who will significantly shape our nation's future are engaging in relationships with artificial intelligence companions.

Although the notion of an AI girlfriend may appear comical, it is a matter of grave concern. This phenomenon is enabling a generation of isolated men to remain solitary and without offspring, which will have severe repercussions on the United States' economy within a decade.

Liberty Vittert holds the position of a data science professor at Washington University in St. Louis and serves as the resident statistician for NewsNation, a subsidiary of The Hill.