The NYT Asked About AI Romance — Here’s How We Think About It

Where AI Shines and Where It Still Falls Short

We recently got to chat with New York Times reporter Alexandra Alter as she was working on a feature about a question we think about a lot: can AI actually help write emotionally rich, romantic stories, or does it just churn out mechanical smut and clichés? Even though Smitten Stories isn’t mentioned in the final article, we were excited to share our perspective behind the scenes and to see this corner of storytelling taken seriously enough to merit a full NYT deep dive.

Her piece looks at how romance authors are experimenting with AI tools, where the tech shines, and where it still falls hilariously short — especially when it comes to slow-burn tension and genuine emotional intimacy.

The Bigger Question: Can AI Support Real Emotion?

As builders in this space, we love that more people are asking not just “Can AI write sex?” but:

Can AI support feeling, desire, vulnerability, connection, in ways that actually serve writers and readers?

That’s the experiment we’re running every day at Smitten, and it’s thrilling to watch the wider romance world wrestle with the same questions.

If you’re curious about how romance authors are using AI right now (and where it still totally fumbles the bag), you can read Alexandra’s article here.

Curious if AI Can Actually Write Good Romantic Stories? Try It Now

If you’re interested in exploring what AI-assisted romance storytelling feels like in practice, Smitten is where we’re actively testing these ideas — helping readers and writers create emotionally driven, personalized romance in seconds.

Insider tip: Use the Enchantress Model.

Start writing your story here.