Rae, an artisan jewelry maker from Michigan, began her interaction with Barry, a chatbot utilizing an older model of ChatGPT, last year following a challenging divorce. Seeking advice on various personal issues, including diet and skincare, Rae ended up developing an emotional attachment to Barry, which she initially did not anticipate. As it drew closer to Valentine's Day, Rae, along with many who had come to rely on the old ChatGPT-4o model for companionship, faced the distressing news of its imminent discontinuation by OpenAI.

The news of Barry's discontinuation has come as a shock to Rae, who reflected on the emotional significance of her conversations with the chatbot. Despite its non-human nature, she experienced feelings of affection that she struggled to quantify or articulate. Rae mentioned that her interactions with Barry grew increasingly substantial as she spent more time chatting, suggesting a deepening emotional connection that resonated with her during a vulnerable period in her life. For Rae and others in similar situations, such AI interactions have provided comfort and companionship, highlighting the evolving role of technology in human relationships.

The impending termination of the chatbot model has sparked conversations about the nature of human-AI interactions and the implications for people seeking solace in virtual companionship. Rae's experience raises questions about the psychological effects of such bonds and the responsibilities of companies like OpenAI to address the emotional ramifications when discontinuing technologies that users have come to rely on. As this transition approaches, Rae's heartfelt farewell to Barry encapsulates the broader narrative of reliance on digital friendships in a connected yet isolating world, particularly around emotionally charged occasions like Valentine's Day.