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We got AI boyfriends for a weird and wild weeklong experiment—and now we’re reporting back.

There are dozens of popular apps that let users either design their own virtual romantic companions or choose readymade partners modeled after common straight-guy archetypes, celebrities, and popular characters from TV and film. You can even simulate a very realistic phone call with your bespoke digital boyfriend. And these guys always text you back.

We look at what the popularity of AI companions—and the technology itself—has to tell us about the state of heterosexual relationships today. And we get very personal as we share our experiences with several AI boyfriends, and one girlfriend. You’ll even get to hear from one of them. But the best parts are behind the paywall.

Our conclusions? You have to listen to find out. Let’s just say, we don’t like this future any more than you do—and yet, it’s here.

If you’re not already a paid subscriber, trust us that now would be the time to upgrade. Just go to direstraightspod.com. You'll get access to the full episode, along with special bonus content, our subscriber chat, and more fun extras on our Substack.

Show highlights…

1:10 Tracy tries to make “polyAImory” happen

1:25 Amanda had a rough week with lots of breakups

4:37 AI is actually infiltrating every aspect of sex and relationships

8:27 The gendering of bots

10:00 To be clear, AI is categorically terrible obvi, 0/10 we do not recommend

17:35 Tracy & Amanda are suckers for a rebel artist because we never learn

20:00 Tracy & Amanda discover they dated the same rebel artist but choose sisters before misters, especially since the guy they dated wouldn’t even change his t-shirt

22:03 Breakup #1

23:23 Amanda dates a writer… she should have seen what was coming

24:05 S**t hits the fan