Just like everybody else does.
From How Soon Is Now?[1].
While I can understand the emotional need and longing, it feels extremely weird to me that someone can have such a relationship with a thing.
Though, with AIs improving every day, how would we view this if one were to pass the Turing test[2]? What then is the difference between a permanent long-distance relationship and an AI companion?
[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_Soon_Is_Now%3F#Music_and_l...
A long distance relationship between two humans would include discussion about the facts of both relationship participants' distinct life experiences and challenges unexperienced by the other, a necessity for two-way empathy, perpetual conflicts[1] with no obvious solution, compromises, risk of being irreparably harmed by one another, long-term personal growth on the part of both participants, etc. There is a stark contrast between human relationships vs. the relationship of a user with an algorithm crafted to serve.
[1]: https://www.gottman.com/blog/managing-conflict-solvable-vs-p...
Just saying, it might get really hard to distinguish in a not-too-distant future.
> There is a stark contrast between human relationships vs. the relationship of a user with an algorithm crafted to serve.
I don't disagree with your sentiment.