Made For You: Norton Study Reveals 77% Would Date an AI

GEN (Jan 27, 2026) Norton Insights Report: Artificial Intimacy finds mainstream acceptance of AI relationships amid a loneliness surge.

Rhea-AI Summary

GEN (Jan 27, 2026) Norton Insights Report: Artificial Intimacy finds mainstream acceptance of AI relationships amid a loneliness surge. 77% of current online daters would consider dating an AI; 59% say falling for an AI is possible. Loneliness affects 81% of people and 89% of Gen Z/Millennials. Dating scams are rising: >17 million scams blocked in Q4 2025 (a 19%+ increase vs 2024). The report warns deeper AI bonds create emotional and financial vulnerabilities while highlighting Norton 360 and other tools to detect fake profiles and block scams.

Positive

• 77% of online daters would consider dating an AI
• 59% believe falling for an AI chatbot is possible
• Over 17 million dating scams blocked in Q4 2025
• Reported scam blocks rose >19% versus 2024

Negative

• 81% of people report feeling lonely; 89% for Gen Z/Millennials
• 44% of online daters report being targeted by dating scams
• 74% of those targeted say they became victims
• 53% of targeted daters shared personal information; 38% sent money

Argus Jan 27 session

-1.64% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – GEN

On Jan 27, the day this news came out, GEN closed 1.64% below the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Jan 27 session.

Market Context

This announcement spotlights GEN’s Norton brand at the intersection of AI, online dating, and cyber ...

Analysis

This announcement spotlights GEN’s Norton brand at the intersection of AI, online dating, and cyber risk. The report’s figures on loneliness, willingness to date AI, and the volume of blocked dating scams underscore both growing dependence on AI companions and expanding scam exposure. In context of prior AI-tagged launches and threat reports, this study reinforces GEN’s positioning around AI-powered scam detection. Investors may track future reports, product uptake, and user metrics tied to these AI safety offerings.

Key Figures

Open to dating AI: 77% Romantic feelings for AI: 59% Feel lonely: 81% +5 more

Open to dating AI

77%

Current online daters who would consider dating an AI

Romantic feelings for AI

59%

Online daters who believe they can develop romantic feelings for AI

Feel lonely

81%

People reporting feeling lonely

Gen Z & Millennials lonely

89%

Gen Z and Millennials reporting loneliness

Social engineering share

over 90%

Digital threats to individuals relying on social engineering

Dating scams blocked

17 million

Dating scams blocked in Q4 2025

Increase vs 2024

over 19%

Year-over-year rise in dating scams blocked vs 2024

Targeted by dating scam

44%

Current online daters who say they have been targeted

Previous AI Reports

5 past events · Latest: Dec 02

Same Type 5 events

1. Dec 02

   AI browser launch

   24h Move

   -0.1%

   Global free release of Norton Neo AI-native secure browser for consumers.

2. Nov 12

   AI mobile defense

   24h Move

   -0.5%

   Launch of Avast Scam Guardian AI-powered mobile scam protection products.

3. Nov 03

   AI scam expansion

   24h Move

   -0.3%

   Global expansion of Norton AI scam protection across 360 and mobile plans.

4. Oct 28

   AI threat report

   24h Move

   -0.5%

   Q3 2025 report on AI-fueled phishing and cybercrime escalation trends.

5. Jul 30

   AI-powered scams report

   24h Move

   -1.4%

   Q2 2025 Threat Report on PharmaFraud, financial scams and AI ransomware.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

social engineering, ai chatbot, phishing links, vpn

4 terms

social engineering technical

"According to the Gen Threat Report, social engineering - threats that rely..."

Social engineering is the practice of manipulating people into revealing confidential information, granting access, or taking actions that compromise security, often by posing as a trusted person or using urgent, persuasive stories. For investors it matters because these scams can lead to direct financial loss, theft of sensitive corporate data, disrupted operations, or damage to a company’s reputation — similar to a con artist who tricks a business into handing over its keys.

ai chatbot technical

"Seventy percent of current online daters say they would use an AI chatbot..."

A AI chatbot is software that uses artificial intelligence to simulate human-like conversation, acting like a virtual assistant that answers questions, completes tasks, or guides users through services. For investors, it matters because chatbots can lower customer service costs, speed sales and support, and create new revenue channels, but they also introduce technology, data-privacy and compliance risks that can affect a company’s costs, growth and reputation.

phishing links technical

"help protect online daters by identifying fake profiles, blocking phishing links..."

Phishing links are malicious web addresses embedded in emails, texts, or social posts that pretend to be legitimate in order to trick recipients into revealing passwords, bank or brokerage logins, or to download harmful software. For investors, clicking one can lead to stolen accounts, unauthorized trades, or exposure of sensitive financial information, and attackers may also use fake links to spread false company news that moves a stock’s price — like a convincing-looking fake storefront designed to steal your wallet.

vpn technical

"Norton 360 with AI-powered Scam Detection, advanced tiers of Norton VPN, and..."

A VPN (virtual private network) creates a secure, private “tunnel” through the public internet that hides a device’s location and encrypts the data sent and received, like sealing a letter inside a locked envelope while it travels through the mail. For investors, VPNs matter because they reduce the risk of data breaches, support remote work and regulatory compliance, and represent a recurring-revenue market driver for companies that sell cybersecurity and networking services.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Add on Google Not now

With loneliness levels high, millions of online daters are open to romantic relationships with artificial
intelligence, blurring the line between comfort, connection, and risk.

TEMPE, Ariz. and PRAGUE, Jan. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Would you date artificial intelligence? New findings from the Norton Insights Report: Artificial Intimacy suggest the idea is now mainstream, with 77% of current online daters saying they would consider dating an AI, and 59% believing it is possible to develop romantic feelings for one. After all, who wouldn't be drawn to a "perfect" partner designed to be attentive, affirming and always available?

This shift in attitudes about dating and AI is unfolding amid a widespread loneliness epidemic. More than four in five (81%) people report feeling lonely, with rates even higher among Gen Z and Millennials (89%). With emotional isolation levels high, many are becoming open to deeper relationships with technology, creating new emotional and financial vulnerabilities that scammers are already weaponizing.  According to the Gen Threat Report, social engineering - threats that rely on psychological and emotional manipulation - accounts for over 90% of all digital threats to individuals. Dating scams are some of the most prevalent, with more than 17 million dating scams blocked in Q4 2025 alone, an over 19% increase from 2024.

"When loneliness is high, trust can form very quickly online to fill that void, and that's exactly what scammers rely on to exploit our need for love and companionship," said Leyla Bilge, Global Head of Scam Research for Norton. "As more people seek connection through apps, chatbots, and digital tools, it's critical to pause, protect personal information, and remember that real trust should never come with pressure or secrecy. AI itself isn't a scam, and many people find it genuinely feels supportive or comforting, but it's still artificial and there is no substitute for real human connection."

Loneliness Fueling AI Intimacy
As traditional support systems strain, many people are turning inward, and online, for comfort. Seventy percent of current online daters say they would use an AI chatbot for therapy after a heartbreak, and 78% say they would trust an AI relationship coach more than a human friend or family member for relationship advice.

For some, AI already fills an emotional gap. One in five (21%) respondents say they would talk to an AI chatbot to get through a rough day, while 38% trust AI to provide emotionally safe or ethical dating advice.

From Support Tool to Romantic Partner
What starts as emotional support is increasingly evolving into something more intimate. AI systems are designed to be attentive, empathetic, and always available, qualities that can quickly foster attachment.

The report finds that 59% of current dating app users believe it is possible to fall for an AI chatbot, while 63% believe an AI partner would be more emotionally supportive than a human one.

Love, Trust, and a New Scam Landscape
As emotional bonds with AI deepen, so do new vulnerabilities. The report shows that 44% of current online daters say they have been targeted by a dating scam, and 74% of those targeted report falling victim.

More than half say they have been pressured to send money, and 61% report being contacted by someone impersonating a celebrity or public figure. Among those targeted, 53% of current online daters shared personal information, and 38% sent money.

Where AI, Dating, and Digital Trust Collide
The 2026 Norton Insights Report: Artificial Intimacy highlights a defining tension of modern relationships. AI is reshaping how people find comfort, advice, and companionship, but it is also expanding the attack surface for emotional manipulation and fraud.

Norton 360 with AI-powered Scam Detection, advanced tiers of Norton VPN, and Norton Mobile Security help protect online daters by identifying fake profiles, blocking phishing links, detecting scams in real time, and safeguarding personal information across devices.

For tips on dating more safely online and to read the full report, visit us.norton.com/blog/research/romance-scams-insights-report-2026

About the 2026 Norton Insights Report: Artificial Intimacy Edition

The study was conducted online within the United States by Dynata on behalf of Gen July 24th to August 11th, 2025 among 1,000 adults ages 18 and older. Data are weighted where necessary by age, gender, and region, to be nationally representative.  

About the Gen Threat Labs

Gen Threat Labs is the Cyber Safety research team within Gen, focused on uncovering and analyzing the latest digital threats and scams worldwide. Rooted in data, research, and technical expertise, the team identifies patterns and risks that shape the evolving cyber landscape. Their insights power the security technologies that protect people across Gen's portfolio of trusted brands, including Norton, Avast, LifeLock, and others.

About Norton

Norton is a leader in Cyber Safety, and part of Gen (NASDAQ: GEN), a global company dedicated to powering Digital Freedom with a family of trusted consumer brands. Norton empowers millions of individuals and families with award-winning protection for their devices, online privacy, and identity. Norton products and services are certified by independent testing organizations including AV-TEST, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs. Norton is a founding member of the Coalition Against Stalkerware. Learn more at https://us.norton.com.

Brittany Posey	Courtney Rowles
Gen	Edelman for Gen
Press@GenDigital.com	Courtney.Rowles@Edelman.com

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/made-for-you-norton-study-reveals-77-would-date-an-ai-302670885.html

SOURCE Gen Digital Inc.

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What key findings did the Norton report release on Jan 27, 2026 say about AI dating and GEN?

The report found 77% of current online daters would consider dating an AI and 59% say falling for an AI is possible.

How do the Norton findings affect GEN's exposure to dating-scam risk?

The findings highlight rising emotional vulnerabilities and a larger attack surface from AI interactions, linked to increased dating scams.

What scam trends did the Jan 27, 2026 report cite that investors in GEN should note?

It cited >17 million dating scams blocked in Q4 2025 and a >19% increase in blocked dating scams versus 2024.

Which user behaviors in the Norton report signal higher fraud risk for GEN customers?

High reported loneliness (81%), willingness to trust AI for therapy or advice, and frequent sharing of personal data increase fraud risk.

What protective measures does the Norton report mention that relate to GEN product offerings?

The report references Norton 360 with AI-powered scam detection, advanced Norton VPN tiers, and Norton Mobile Security for profile detection and phishing blocks.