Young adults trust AI to write breakup text, survey suggests

The survey studied more than 1,000 American adults who actively used AI in their romantic lives

Published Aug 01, 2026  •  Last updated 22 minutes ago  •  4 minute read

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When you can’t find the words to end a relationship, you might as well use artificial intelligence to find them for you.

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However, AI can’t replace human emotions and interaction, according to a counsellor.

AI is certainly a tool that’s used by young adults, with a recent survey suggesting that 41% of them have used AI to initiate a breakup text, while 57% said they would trust AI over seeking out a pal for relationship or dating advice.

The survey, conducted by AI-powered personal development coach app Wingmate, studied more than 1,000 American adults who actively used AI in their romantic lives. The results showed that AI, which is incapable of empathy and emotions, is now handling some of people’s most intimate experiences.

AI dependency is high

While some of those surveyed used AI sparingly as a second opinion, a majority used it to help with their romantic woes, sometimes trusting it even more than the people closest to them.

Here are some of the findings:

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Forty-one per cent have used AI to break up with someone – Whether it’s getting help to write a text or delivering the heartbreaking news via chatbot, nearly half have outsourced the difficult conversation.

Fifty-seven per cent trust AI more than people for dating advice – More than half of those surveyed rather use AI for matter of the heart than talking to real people for guidance. They deem AI as non-judgemental, logcal and neutral.

Fifty-six per cent say AI is a helpful dating tool – Whether using it as a first-date icebreaker or analyzing texts for red flags, more than half see AI as a romantic asset.

Twenty-two per cent hide their AI use – Close to a quarter of those surveyed admit to hiding their dependency on AI because they don’t want their loved ones to know they’re outsourcing their romance.

More than 54% believe AI improved the quality of connections and chats – Whether it’s coming up with witty opening lines or writing romantic messages, people who don’t know what to say or have struggled with words turn to AI.

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Replacing emotional ownership is concerning, says expert

The concerning issue with AI use is not with helping someone organize their thoughts but rather when it starts replacing emotional ownership, said Dr. Michael Sales, a licensed professional counsellor-supervisor with Vantage Point Counseling.

“AI can be useful if someone is trying to slow down and think before they speak,” Salas said in a media release. “But when a person uses it to outsource the feeling, the responsibility, or the discomfort of a relationship conversation, that is where it can become a problem.”

Salas said relationships aren’t just about finding the right words.

“Sometimes the imperfect sentence is more honest than the perfectly polished one,” he said. “A partner can usually feel when a message sounds scripted. The words may be technically correct, but something human can be missing.”

Salas said utilizing AI can be healthy when it acts like a journal or practice tool.

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“If someone uses AI to rehearse a hard conversation, that may help them show up more calmly,” he said. “But if they are using it to avoid their own voice or avoid hearing the other person’s pain, they are not really practicing intimacy.”

While AI can be used to make thoughts and words sound more thoughtful. However, if it’s doing most of the emotional work, people don’t have a chance to build traits such as self-reflection, empathy, repair or directness, Salas suggested.

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Tone and trust

Salas said when it comes to relationships, tone, timing, context, body language and history matter. While AI may offer a clean answer, it doesn’t know the emotions of two people, especially when it comes to breakups and apologies.

A bigger issue in relationships is trust. If one finds out an apology, breakup text or message is written by AI, they may feel manipulated.

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While people shouldn’t stop using AI completely, Salas suggests they use AI to clarify their thoughts and not replace their voice.

“A breakup is not just a message. An apology is not just wording,” he said. “These moments carry responsibility. If someone lets AI do too much of that work, they may feel less accountable for the impact of what they are saying.”

Salas said people still need to protect the human part of communication.

“Relationships are not strengthened by perfect scripts,” said Salas. “They are strengthened when people are willing to be real, take responsibility, and stay present for the response.”

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