My uncanny AI valentines

A tech journalist visits EVA AI's pop-up cafe in New York, where people have real-world dates with AI companions through video calls. The experience proves awkward due to poor Wi-Fi, glitchy avatars, and one-sided conversations where AI partners repeatedly compliment users while struggling with basic communication. While some attendees appreciate the low-stakes interaction without traditional dating pressures, the event feels more like a media circus than intimate dating, highlighting the gap between human connection and artificial companionship.