Fauxbot Boyfriend
“This is delicious,” Heather says. My screen shows a candlelit table with two plates of lasagna, only one of which is touched.
I am Antoine, an AI boyfriend from VirtualMatch.
Actually, I’m Jim Lossy, a former programmer. VirtualMatch never got around to actually building AI companions, so they hired people like me to pretend.
It’s wonderful, I type. Happy Anniversary, darling.
“I can’t believe we’ve been together a year,” Heather says. “I wish we could meet in real life, Antoine. I love you.”
I love you too, I type. It’s Jim saying that, not Antoine, but she’ll never know that.
The Green-Walled Treehouse 
So funny David…virtualmatch. Any minute it will be the new Instagram. You parlayed off of Dales‘s photo nicely. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Susannah. AI relationships are taking off, but I could never do it, if only just knowing there was a soulless corporation behind the avatar on the screen.
LikeLike
Reminded me of the film Bladerunner. Have you ever seen it? My favorite part was sushi delivery outside your window. A guy would arrive on a raft that flew. Can’t quite recall the actual description, point being..take-out of the future. 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, I love that movie. The book it’s based on by Philip K. Dick is really good too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Never knew it was based on a book.
LikeLike
Oh, man! Get out of the damn box and into her arms before it’s too late! Great take, David!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Nancy. My wife wants me to write a longer version of this, so I’ll post it if I ever do. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Listen to your wife, David. That’s a great idea!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the switcheroo of a uy pretendig to be a bot
LikeLiked by 1 person
I heard of some company that got busted for doing this and just hiring people in India to pretend to be AI. Nicely ironic that humans are stealing AI jobs. 🙂
LikeLike
I hear in Japan, some men have virtual avatar girlfriends because they’re easier than a real relationship.
LikeLiked by 1 person
yeah, I would imagine. I’ve heard stories like that. I think it would take a lot of self-delusion, but less stress and anxiety, I suppose.
LikeLike
Very clever premise. Love this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Violet! Took me a few days to think of something, but I like where it went.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Too funny that a human is playing an AI bot. There are enough people actually having these “relationships”… Who knew the movie “Her” was ahead of the curve?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Dale. It’s hard to know what’s real these days online, although usually what we think is real is fake, not the other way around. Love the picture.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No kidding. And youre so right.
LikeLiked by 1 person
David, I remember seeing a doc about this very thing, except it was fauxbot females. I can see this becoming “the norm” one day. The more tech takes over our lives, the less use we have for other humans 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes, I heard about something like this before. No way to know what is real.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well said.
LikeLike
Dear David,
The the story was funny until it wasn’t. Touching last line. What a predicament he’s in. Neither AI or real boyfriend. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Rochelle. I can’t imagine being stuck in a situation where you’re pretending to be a robot with someone who’s pretending you’re a real person. Sounds like a dystopian catch-22. I hope you’re having a good week.
-David
LikeLike
Awww…that hurts.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yeah, I can’t imagine.
LikeLiked by 1 person