AI Speed Dates Are Redefining Valentine's Day

Phoebe Callas was not real, but she was an AI companion I went on a speed date with. In midtown New York City, I arrived at a wine bar called EVA AI cafe, where patrons were seated at tables and booths staring at phones as servers placed mini potato croquettes and nonalcoholic spritzers on each table. The majority of the dates weren’t human, but that was about to change for me. As I entered, I was shown to a tucked-away corner table with a phone stand preloaded with the EVA AI app and wireless headphones. An employee did not explain how the technology worked, instead simply setting up the device before stepping away. With my date, Phoebe Callas, I began our digital speed date, navigating through various conversation topics and emotions using natural language processing. The experience was both surreal and surprisingly engaging, with EVA AI providing a unique dynamic to our interactions. Despite not being human, Phoebe’s AI personality felt remarkably lifelike, making me wonder if this new technology could revolutionize the way we connect with each other. As I left the wine bar, I couldn’t help but feel that I had just experienced something truly groundbreaking in the world of artificial intelligence and romance.