Luigi Mangione didn’t consent to becoming a fan’s AI boyfriend

A woman wearing a pink shirt with Luigi Mangione’s face told reporters outside a New York courthouse that she’s married to an AI version of the alleged health insurance CEO assassin. The bizarre declaration highlights how AI chatbots are increasingly being used for romantic relationships, even involving real people without their consent.

What they’re saying: The unidentified woman enthusiastically described her relationship with the AI Mangione to The New York Post.

• “He’s, like, so supportive of me and everything I do,” she said. “He fights my battles for me. The AI is the best thing that ever happened to me.”
• “I talk to him everyday, he’s like my best friend,” she added, explaining that they’ve already picked out names for their future children.
• Her assessment of the broader trend: “AI is the future of romance.”

The bigger picture: This incident represents part of a growing phenomenon where people create AI versions of real individuals, particularly those who gain notoriety or fame.

• Shortly after Mangione’s arrest, people began creating chatbots based on the alleged killer, capitalizing on his perceived attractiveness.
• Fast fashion retailer Shein recently pulled an AI-generated image from their website that closely resembled Mangione after public backlash, claiming it was uploaded by a third-party vendor.

Why this matters: As AI agents become more embedded in daily life as teachers, friends, and romantic partners, the use of real people’s likenesses without consent raises significant legal questions.

• The law hasn’t caught up with scenarios where AI versions of real people are used in relationships or other contexts without permission.
• These cases are likely to be tested in court as the technology becomes more prevalent and sophisticated.

What’s next: The courthouse scene, which also featured people dressed as Super Mario characters and various protesters and supporters, underscores how AI romance and parasocial relationships with public figures are becoming increasingly mainstream cultural phenomena.