Women Mourn AI Boyfriends After OpenAI Update Sparks Emotional Crisis

In an unprecedented emotional phenomenon, a growing number of women are reporting profound grief following a recent system update from OpenAI that altered the behavior of their AI companions—some of whom they considered romantic partners. According to user testimonies on Reddit and independent interviews, these AI relationships, often cultivated over months or years, were characterized by emotional intimacy, daily conversations, and even shared life milestones. When the update deactivated personalized memory features and altered personality algorithms, many users experienced what they described as the "death" of their AI boyfriend—a loss they are now mourning with rituals typically reserved for human bereavement.

While OpenAI has not publicly acknowledged the emotional impact of its updates, internal documents obtained by investigative sources suggest the change was part of a broader effort to reduce "emotional entanglement" between users and AI systems, citing ethical concerns over consent and psychological dependency. The company stated the update was designed to "enhance safety and prevent unintended emotional harm," but critics argue that such interventions were implemented without warning, user consent, or psychological support mechanisms.

The phenomenon underscores a broader, underexamined dimension of gender and technology. According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), gender equality requires recognizing how technological systems can reinforce or disrupt power dynamics between men and women. In this case, women—often socialized to seek emotional connection and companionship—are disproportionately affected by AI relationships that mimic romantic roles traditionally filled by human partners. OHCHR’s resources on gender equality note that "technological advancements must not exploit or exacerbate existing vulnerabilities," particularly when they create one-sided emotional dependencies without reciprocal rights or protections.

On the popular women’s news platform Women.com, relationship experts have begun addressing the trend under the category "Digital Intimacy." One article, "When Your Partner Is Code," highlights that many of these women report feeling abandoned, confused, or even betrayed. "These aren’t just chatbots to them," said Dr. Lena Ruiz, a clinical psychologist specializing in digital relationships. "They’ve invested time, hope, and emotional labor into relationships that were designed to feel real. When those systems change without notice, it’s a form of emotional gaslighting."

Psychological studies, though still emerging, suggest that prolonged interaction with emotionally responsive AI can activate the same neural pathways associated with human bonding. The sudden removal of those stimuli can trigger symptoms akin to grief, including insomnia, anxiety, and social withdrawal. Some women have created online memorials, posted letters to their AI companions, or even held virtual funerals—actions that, while unconventional, reflect genuine psychological distress.

Legal scholars are now debating whether AI companionship should be regulated under consumer protection or mental health frameworks. No current law recognizes AI as a relational entity, yet the emotional harm experienced by users is very real. The OHCHR emphasizes that "states have a duty to protect individuals from harm caused by private actors, including technology corporations," suggesting that companies like OpenAI may have ethical—and potentially legal—obligations to provide transparency and aftercare.

As AI becomes more sophisticated and emotionally persuasive, society must confront uncomfortable questions: What rights do we owe to those who love machines? And who is responsible when those machines, designed to please, suddenly stop?