사람은 인공지능과 사랑에 빠질 수 있을까?

This study explores whether artificial intelligence (AI) can engage in emotional exchanges with humans and whether such interactions can develop into feelings analogous to love. While prior technology acceptance research has primarily focused on functional attributes such as usefulness and ease of use, the rapid advancement of AI and the increasing prevalence of single-person households highlight the growing significance of the emotional dimension in human?machine relationships. To address this gap, the present study examines users’ perceptions of AI humanness, presence, and empathy, applying Sternberg’s (1986) Triangular Theory of Love?comprising intimacy, passion, and commitment?to investigate whether AI-based services can evoke the components of love. Path analysis revealed that perceived presence exerted significant positive effects on intimacy and passion, anthropomorphism significantly influenced commitment, and empathy positively affected all three components of love. These emotional responses further strengthened users’ attachment behaviors toward AI. Group comparisons showed that single-person households and long-term users reported higher levels of anthropomorphism, empathy, and love-related emotions, whereas presence was higher among multi-person households and short-term users. The gender match of AI voice did not produce significant differences in emotional formation. Overall, the findings demonstrate that AI can be perceived not merely as a functional tool but as an agent capable of emotional interaction, offering theoretical and practical implications for future research on human?AI relationships.