Long-term interactions with AI sex dolls can reveal a complex blend of attachment, novelty, and evolving expectations. Psychological dynamics at play include the human tendency to anthropomorphize machines, projecting personality traits, moods, and relational scripts onto nonhuman objects. Over time, users may experience a sense of companionship, comfort, or even routine, similar in some ways to relationships with pets or fictional characters. However, this relationship can also introduce challenges, such as heightened dependence, altered social behaviors, or shifting perceptions of intimacy in real-world relationships. People may seek order, control, and predictability in a partner that is tunable, forgiving of mistakes, and available without judgment. For some, the doll becomes a canvas to explore identity, fantasies, and emotional regulation.

Ethical and emotional considerations arise as attachment grows. It’s important for long-term users to reflect on boundaries, ensure real-world social connections remain healthy, and monitor shifts in self-esteem and expectations. Regular self-checks or discussions with trusted partners or professionals can help maintain balance. Designers can support healthy use by enabling clear consent models, transparent AI behavior, and easy customization that aligns with user well-being. Ultimately, the psychology of sustained AI doll use highlights the human need for connection, imagination, and consistent, nonjudgmental companionship—crafted with care and mindful boundaries.