A viral social media trend involving AI-generated romantic partners is surprising parents worldwide. What’s behind the backlash, and what does this trend reveal about AI companionship? Here’s what you need to know.
A new social media trend known as the “AI boyfriend–girlfriend” phenomenon is gaining rapid popularity across platforms like Instagram and X. Videos linked to the trend are generating millions of views, blending humour, shock, and curiosity as families react to the growing presence of artificial intelligence in everyday life.
While many viewers find the videos entertaining, the trend has also sparked concern, particularly among parents, about how realistic and accessible AI-generated companions have become.
What Is the “AI Boyfriend–Girlfriend” Trend?
The trend typically involves users creating a realistic-looking boyfriend or girlfriend using AI tools such as ChatGPT’s image-generation capabilities. Participants then present the AI-generated image to their parents as if it depicts a real romantic partner, recording their reactions on camera.
The aim is to convincingly pass off the AI-created companion as genuine and capture authentic responses ranging from disbelief and concern to confusion and amusement. These reaction videos are then shared publicly, contributing to the trend’s viral momentum.
This trend is especially popular among younger users, many of whom enjoy testing how familiar their parents are with modern AI tools and digital manipulation.
Typical Reactions from Parents
In most videos, users show their parents a photo of themselves alongside an AI-generated partner and claim to be in a previously undisclosed relationship. Parents’ reactions vary widely. Some respond with shock, concern, or immediate questioning, while others quickly identify the image as AI-generated.
Interestingly, a growing number of parents demonstrate strong digital awareness, recognising the signs of AI-generated imagery almost instantly. In some cases, parents even play along with the prank, adding an extra layer of humour that viewers appreciate.
How Social Media Is Responding
Online audiences have embraced the trend, with comment sections filled with jokes, memes, and playful commentary. Many users applaud parents who can immediately spot AI-generated images, while others express interest in recreating the trend themselves.
Beyond entertainment, the trend has also prompted broader conversations about AI companionship, digital realism, and how artificial relationships are increasingly intersecting with real-world social dynamics.
How the AI Images Are Created
Most participants follow a simple process using AI tools:
- Upload a clear photo of yourself to an AI platform such as ChatGPT.
- Enter a descriptive prompt requesting the generation of a compatible, realistic-looking partner.
- Generate the image and use it as part of the prank or social media post.
While often intended as light-hearted fun, the trend highlights how accessible and convincing AI-generated companions have become, raising important questions about authenticity, emotional attachment, and digital literacy in the age of AI.
Expert Commentary: What This Trend Says About AI Companions
From an AI product and digital behaviour perspective, this trend highlights how quickly AI companions and chatbot-based relationships are moving into the mainstream. The realism of AI-generated partners, both visually and conversationally, has improved to the point where non-technical users can easily mistake synthetic content for something real.
Experts in AI ethics and human–computer interaction often point out that while AI companion platforms are designed to provide engagement, support, or entertainment, they also require strong user awareness and transparency. As AI companions become more lifelike, understanding their limitations, and clearly distinguishing AI from reality, becomes increasingly important for users of all ages. Read our AI companion safety tips here
For parents, this trend is less about the prank itself and more about how convincingly AI can simulate emotional and relational cues. For users exploring AI companion apps or chatbot-based relationships, it serves as a reminder to approach these tools with curiosity, critical thinking, and informed expectations.
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