'ChatGPT has saved our relationship': Meet the couples paying AI to 'referee' their romance

In a world where traditional therapy can be expensive and inaccessible, some couples have found an unconventional solution: artificial intelligence. When Dom Versaci and Abella Bala, both 36, couldn't see eye to eye on an issue, they turned to ChatGPT, the popular chatbot AI, for help. "ChatGPT has saved our relationship," Bala joked, admitting that the AI has served as a handy "referee" in their disputes for the past six months.

For just $20 per month for the premium package, ChatGPT provides the LA lovebirds with sophisticated system support. All they need is WiFi — and a little discernment, of course. The AI offers generic counsel, but it's proven to be surprisingly effective in de-escalating fights.

"ChatGPT is weirdly helpful for de-escalating fights," said Bala. "Neither of us want to argue back and forth with a robot." Their automated arbiter often intercedes with generic relationship advice, such as: "Abella, maybe you could try softening your approach a bit … And Dom, it might help to practice acknowledging your part in situations."

The swing toward robo-therapy is picking up high speed among budget-conscious couples from coast to coast. Rather than breaking the bank on therapy with a human — pricey appointments that can run NYCers over $200 per hour — some are opting for ChatGPT's affordable and judgment-free approach.

Grace Mijoo, 35, of Williamsburg agrees. She and her boyfriend Eric, 40, routinely benefit from AI's unbiased feedback — especially during conflicts over how often they check in with each other via text. "I tell ChatGPT what's going on between us, and we provide it with transcripts of what our conversations are like," she explained.

Meanwhile, tech pro Catherine Goetze credits ChatGPT for keeping her relationship on track during a recent small setback. Her boyfriend and she had a huge argument over something "extremely insignificant while we were out for dinner." But after chatting with the AI, they made up quickly, thanks to its cheeky take: "You were pretty hungry. You hadn't eaten in an hour. You were just hangry."

And then there's Grace Clarke, a 30-something from the West Village who leaned on ChatGPT during her recent breakup. She tasked the computerized counselor with offering up insights into her behaviors and repeated relationship patterns.

"I told ChatGPT to give me direct, specific and harsh feedback," she said. And that it did — so much so, that Clarke has lauded AI for being "a million times more helpful" than her human therapist amid the split. The chatbot pinpointed "unhealthy" habits and "obsessive" tendencies that could come up as pitfalls in future relationships.

"ChatGPT presented me with introspective exercises such as: 'If you're looking back on your breakup in a year, describe the type of person you'd want your ex to say you were [during the relationship and breakup]''," Clarke explained. "It was a profound prompt that helped me prioritize peace over problematic practices."

Clarke now feels resilient and hopeful for her next partnership. And as she looks back on her recent split, she realizes that ChatGPT has been an invaluable resource in her healing process.