In the near future, human-like AI dolls called Artemis are taking the place of human partners, with many benefits in terms of low maintenance, availability and lack of arguments, but also a range of unexpected downsides that can result in “couple’s counselling” being required.
Problems range from the doll freezing or going on the blink, an inability to produce an erection or growing emotionally detached from the doll, to a lack of similarity to a human partner in terms of appearance, odour, taste and touch.
The one-year warranty period also leads to a range of stresses as it expires, and a feeling of being somehow cheated, with the protagonist’s own doll experiencing some kind of emotional shutdown, leaving him with a range of feelings of anxiety, guilt, loneliness and regret.
The piece includes some self-awareness from the doll: “I did not sign up for couples counselling. I paid thousands of dollars for this thing, and you’re telling me she’s shutting herself off?