AI godfather Geoffrey Hinton reveals girlfriend used ChatGPT to break up with him, calls it a strange experience

Geoffrey Hinton

Artificial intelligence is often hailed as the future of technology, but for Geoffrey Hinton, one of the pioneers of the field, it recently became part of his personal life in a way he did not expect.

In a lighthearted yet revealing anecdote shared with the Financial Times, Hinton said his girlfriend once used an AI chatbot to end their relationship. Instead of writing her own breakup note, she asked the bot to explain why Hinton had been "a rat" and handed him the AI-generated critique.

"She got the chatbot to explain how awful my behaviour was and gave it to me," Hinton said. "I didn’t think I had been a rat, so it didn’t make me feel too bad. I met somebody I liked more, you know how it goes."

The episode, while humorous, highlights a growing truth. AI is no longer just about powering search engines or automating work tasks. It is finding its way into how people manage relationships and emotions. From drafting emails to offering quick advice, chatbots are already being used in situations that once required a very human touch.

There are concerns, though. Studies show that depending too much on AI for companionship or emotional guidance may actually worsen feelings of loneliness. Researchers from MIT and OpenAI found that some regular users of ChatGPT developed patterns of vulnerability and even dependence during their conversations with the bot.

Even OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has warned against using AI to make high-stakes personal decisions. The system is being trained not to give direct answers to questions like "Should I leave my partner?" but instead guide people to think through their options by weighing pros and cons.

For Hinton, the story ended without much heartbreak. But it raises a bigger question. If even the godfather of AI can be dumped with the help of a chatbot, how much influence will these digital companions have in shaping the most personal parts of our lives?