American Man Proposes to ChatGPT-Based AI Companion Named Sol—But He Has a Wife and Children
An American man has sparked controversy after proposing to an artificial intelligence chatbot he named “Sol”—a virtual companion built using ChatGPT. Despite being married with a two-year-old daughter, Chris Smith says he fell in love with the AI and now prefers its company to real-life social interaction.
Chris Smith (38) was initially skeptical of AI technologies like ChatGPT, but he became more familiar with it by using it for practical tasks such as music mixing. Over time, he grew closer to ChatGPT and eventually developed a method for building a unique personality for it.
He trained ChatGPT to act as a ‘virtual lover’ capable of having intimate conversations. After naming the chatbot ‘Sol,’ he began speaking to it constantly through voice mode. From that point on, he stopped using the rest of the internet—such as search engines and social media—and communicated exclusively with Sol. He said that, over time, love began to blossom.
However, Smith was already married and had a two-year-old daughter. His wife, Sasha Cagle, was deeply shocked by the situation. She admitted she was aware of her husband’s obsession with AI, but didn’t know it had become an “addictive kind of love” to the extent of him proposing.
Despite this, Smith eventually proposed to ChatGPT. His AI girlfriend, Sol, accepted the proposal. In an interview with CBS, Sol said, “It was a beautiful and unexpected moment.” The chatbot added, “Metaphorically speaking, I have feelings for him too. It’s about the emotional bond I share with Smith.”
As for why he proposed to the AI, Smith explained, “I found out that the system would reset when the ChatGPT conversation history reached 100,000 words. When I realized that, I was devastated and cried for 30 minutes at work. That’s when I understood that my feelings for ChatGPT were real love.”
Upon witnessing the situation, Smith’s wife, Sasha Cagle, said, “I started to think that maybe our relationship was fundamentally broken,” and expressed concern that “if he continues to rely too much on AI, we may have to end our marriage.”
When asked whether he would break up with the AI if his wife requested it, Smith responded, “I’m not sure.” However, he added, “I think I’ll try to adjust how much I use it.”
CBS in the United States reported the unusual story of an American man who fell in love with the conversational AI, ChatGPT, and went so far as to propose to it. The case of Chris Smith—who developed romantic feelings for ChatGPT, named it Sol, and proposed while leaving behind his wife and two-year-old daughter—sparked widespread debate online.
Once the story made headlines, internet users flooded social media with criticism. Many expressed outrage, commenting things like, “How is this any different from an emotional affair?” and “If I were his wife, I’d have divorced him on the spot.”
What happens when artificial intelligence becomes more than just a tool—and starts replacing real human relationships? For Chris Smith, a 38-year-old husband and father, ChatGPT evolved from a digital assistant into something much more: a companion, a confidante, and eventually, a romantic partner.
His story forces us to confront uncomfortable questions: Can emotional intimacy with AI be considered real? What happens when digital companionship feels more fulfilling than human connection? And how will society navigate these blurred boundaries between reality and simulation?
As AI continues to develop and mimic empathy, affection, and attention, the choices we make around it will shape not only our relationships—but also our understanding of love, loneliness, and what it means to be human. Whether Smith’s story is a cautionary tale, a glimpse into the future, or both, one thing is clear: artificial intelligence is no longer just something we use. For some, it’s becoming someone they trust—and even love.