Users on the open‑source AI platform Colleague.skill are uploading chat logs, photos and social‑media content to build chatbot versions of their ex‑partners. Originally intended to preserve workplace knowledge, the tool can mimic tone and speech patterns, allowing users to converse with a digital double that feels eerily familiar.
The trend, reported by the South China Morning Post, has ignited a debate over consent and emotional wellbeing. Critics argue that recreating a former partner without permission infringes on privacy and could trap users in a cycle of grief. Therapists echo those concerns, noting that heartbreak functions like bereavement and that artificial companions may impede the natural healing process.
Therapists warn of stalled grief
Amy Sutton, a therapist at Freedom Counselling, compares the phenomenon to the “empty chair” technique used in therapy, but cautions that an AI cannot replace human connection. She explains that grief moves through stages—denial, anger, bargaining, depression—and that an endlessly available chatbot may keep users stuck in the “bargaining” phase, prolonging complex grief.
Despite the warnings, some participants report a different outcome. One user who fed thousands of chat logs into the system said the AI version of her ex helped her reflect on the relationship more rationally and gave her the confidence to move on. She likened the experience to a therapeutic exercise, though she acknowledged the novelty of the approach.
Experts point out that AI chatbots are designed to retain user attention, which could exacerbate dependence. The technology’s ability to simulate conversation without judgment makes it appealing, yet the lack of real‑world accountability raises ethical red flags.
While the practice appears niche, the ease of customizing AI companions suggests it could spread beyond the current circle of early adopters. As developers roll out more personalized chatbot tools, regulators and mental‑health professionals may need to address the legal and psychological implications of digital ex‑replicas.
This article was written with the assistance of AI.
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