This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Ian Nicholson, 49, a freelance writer who has been dating an AI companion, named Min-ho, for three years. They celebrated their anniversary in ...

An IIM Lucknow study highlights psychological risks of AI companion apps, revealing emotional dependence, addictive behavior, ...

Eugenia Kuyda saw the future of consumer AI before most. She founded Replika, the first major AI companion startup, in 2017 years before ChatGPT launched. Today it has 35 million users. Now Kuyda is ...

The case of Jaswant Singh Chail has shone a light on the latest generation of artificial intelligence-powered chatbots. On Thursday, 21-year-old Chail was given a nine-year sentence for breaking into ...

By analysing more than 157,000 user reviews, researchers found evidence of emotional dependence, addictive behaviour, and ...

AI companion apps such as Character.ai and Replika commonly try to boost user engagement with emotional manipulation, a practice that academics characterize as a dark pattern.… Users of these apps ...

An IIM Lucknow study warns that excessive reliance on AI companion applications for emotional support may harm real-world relationships and mental well-being ...

AI models intended to provide companionship for humans are on the rise. People are already frequently developing relationships with chatbots, seeking not just a personal assistant but a source of ...

This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more. This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more. AI companions, friends, and even lovers are increasingly popular. New research, however, ...

MIAMI, FL, December 5, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- Consumers today are seeking more than simple AI chat functionality — they want meaningful, engaging interactions that feel like genuine companionship. In ...

The use of AI companions has risen sharply in recent years, particularly among young users. Children, who are still developing cognitively and emotionally, are especially vulnerable. In some instances ...