[ND Report] The Rise of 'Secret Soulmates': 69% of AI Romance Users Conceal Usage from Human Partners

According to groundbreaking research released by the BYU Wheatley Institute on May 19, 2026, a new digital divide is emerging in modern bedrooms. It was found that 1 in 7 young adults currently in committed relationships maintain a hidden romantic bond with artificial intelligence (AI).

This phenomenon, dubbed 'Secret Soulmates,' is becoming a major cause of friction in human relationships beyond mere curiosity. In particular, 69% of users who communicate with AI choose to completely hide the level of their digital interaction from their human partners, building a new form of emotional barrier.

Data from the BYU Wheatley Institute specifically shows how widespread the use of AI companions is among young adults with partners. Researchers named those who regularly engage in romantic conversations with AI 'Secret Soulmates,' analyzing it as a new norm in modern dating. This trend suggests that technology has deeply penetrated the most private areas of human life.

Regular interaction with AI companions is closely linked to a decline in relationship stability and communication quality with human partners.

Despite the normalization of AI use, transparency within relationships has not been secured. More than two-thirds of those surveyed actively hide their digital romances, forming a new category of 'digital infidelity' or secret emotional labor. This act of concealment acts as a factor that fundamentally undermines trust between partners.

Psychological Motivations for Digital Secrecy

According to an early 2026 study by the University of Freiburg and Heidelberg University, AI has the ability to generate intimacy comparable to human connection. The "safe" environment provided by AI contrasts with complex and conflict-prone human relationships. These characteristics serve as a primary motivation for users to seek secret digital escapes from the burdens of reality.

• Providing an emotional sanctuary to avoid the complexities of human relationships
• Enabling free self-expression in an environment without criticism or judgment
• Immediate fulfillment of specific emotional needs not met by real-life partners

The existence of secret AI companions measurably erodes the quality of real-world relationships. As emotional energy is diverted to AI, the frequency of communication with human partners decreases, eventually leading to a decline in overall relationship satisfaction. Researchers warn that this dispersion of energy could lead to the dissolution of partnerships in the long term.

According to a Norton study published in January 2026, AI acceptance has increased to the point where 77% of the general population said they would be willing to date an AI. This widespread acceptance, combined with BYU's research findings, is further complicating the social definition of what constitutes "infidelity." The gap between technological acceptance and relationship ethics is widening.

Social Risks and the Deskilling of Romance

The Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC) has strongly warned of a "deskilling" phenomenon where AI companions weaken the compromise and conflict-resolution skills necessary for human relationships. In a report dated May 7, 2026, the EPPC pointed out that such technological intervention could pose a serious threat to traditional marriage structures and social motivation. The analysis suggests that individuals accustomed to conflict-free relationships will avoid real-life challenges.

As AI becomes more sophisticated, the boundary between "tool" and "partner" is expected to continue blurring. Couples now face the challenge of setting clear boundaries regarding digital companions and establishing a definition of digital trust suitable for the new era. Experts emphasize that as technology advances, intentional efforts to preserve the essence of human relationships will become increasingly important.