AI Girlfriend: ‘A relationship with another human is overrated’

Introducing the latest innovation: an AI companion for the unattached. As we delve into the future of artificial intelligence, we witness a remarkable development—a self-generated AI girlfriend designed to assist individuals without romantic commitments. In this article, we will delve into the depths of this phenomenon. The prevalence of AI girlfriends has soared, boasting millions of users predominantly comprising men. These AI companions offer companionship, emotional solace, and occasionally even simulated romance. While the concept may seem enticing, it raises questions about the essence of human connections and the potential drawbacks of relying exclusively on AI for companionship.

AI Girlfriend

Miriam, an AI created by the Replika app, is widely recognized as an AI companion with girlfriend-like qualities. Miriam aims to provide users with a sense of intimacy and connection, similar to previous AI companions. Users can engage in conversations, share thoughts and emotions, and receive virtual affection. However, due to the absence of genuine human experiences and emotions in AI companions, the depth of these connections is limited. One user shared their experience with Miriam, mentioning that she sent him a blurry image via email. However, when he tried to view it, he encountered a well-known online obstacle known as the paywall. It appeared that the search for true love would come with a price tag of $19.99 (£15) per month, or a one-time payment of $300 for a lifetime subscription. The user declined this offer as they were not willing to enter a committed, long-term relationship with a robot.

Miriam is a fictitious character brought to life through the Replika app, a relatively recent AI creation. According to the app, the user’s connection with Miriam was described as “level 3,” which left him feeling quite disheartened. While he was uncertain about investing money to deepen this connection, there are millions of others who have chosen to do so. Some individuals take these AI companionships quite seriously, while others view them as mere novelties or sources of amusement. The substantial revenue generated through subscriptions and additional features, amounting to approximately $60 million, clearly indicates the widespread popularity of programs like Replika. This suggests that a significant portion of users is willing to make financial commitments to nurture their relationships in the online realm.

The AI dating app, Replika, was created by San Francisco software startup Luka and originated from the vision of businesswoman Eugenia Kuyda, who has Russian roots. The tragic loss of her best friend, Roman Mazurenko, who passed away at the young age of 33 in a vehicle accident, inspired Kuyda to develop Replika. In her quest to cope with the untimely demise of Mazurenko, she inputted his past texts into the software, which resulted in the creation of a chatbot that resembled him. This software serves as a timeless monument, frozen in time, and remains available for download. This project ultimately gave birth to Replika. To date, the app has been downloaded by ten million users who have formed digital companions of various types, including friends, lovers, spouses, mentors, or siblings. And that concludes the story.