While AI companions can help combat loneliness, critics say developing relationships with bots can amplify harmful stereotypes and biases against women.
After just five months of dating, Mark and his girlfriend Mina decided to take their relationship to the next level by holidaying at a lake cabin over the summer – on his smartphone.
Developers say AI companions can combat loneliness, improve someone’s dating experience in a safe space, and even help real-life couples rekindle their relationships. Generative AI has attracted a frenzy of consumer and investor interest due to its ability to foster humanlike interactions. “Instead of helping people with their social skills, these sort of avenues are just making things worse,” she said.
Vallor said that AI companions “allow people to create an artificial girlfriend that fully embodies these stereotypes instead of resisting them and insisting on being treated with dignity and respect”. Eugenia Kuyda, founder of one of the biggest AI companion apps Replika, said companies have a responsibility to keep users safe and create apps that promote emotional wellbeing.