The Rise of AI Companions & Synthetic Relationships
Note: Since we first published this piece, deeply concerning developments regarding character.ai and its use by young people have emerged. Read our latest coverage on the topic here.
AI is changing not only the way that we communicate, but also how we define relationships. People, and especially young people, are increasingly turning to AI chatbots and virtual companions for emotional support, friendship, and even romantic connections.
The two most popular companies focused on synthetic relationships are Character.ai and Replika.
Character.ai, the third most popular GenAI tool after ChatGPT and Gemini (20% of the site traffic of ChatGPT), where you can chat with over 18 million million AI-generated characters, from historical figures to original creations. Users, which are primarily 16-24 year olds, spend an average of two hours per day on the platform.
Replika, founded by Eugenia Kuyda, offers an even more personalized AI companion experience through its app, and being used for everything from life coaching and therapy, to casual chats and even romance, and includes the ability to exchange explicit messages with its AI chatbots.
These AI tools are being used:
1. Emotional support:
• Some teens use Character.AI's "Psychologist" bot, which has received over 95 million messages, to work through personal issues and loneliness.
• Replika users seek a "safe space" for emotional well-being and self-acceptance.
2. Friendship and companionship:
• Character.AI users create group chats with multiple AI bots, mimicking friend groups.
• Replika offers an "AI friend" available 24/7 for conversations and activities.
3. Mental health support:
• Both platforms are being used as informal therapy tools, with users discussing personal problems and seeking advice.
• A study in Nature suggests Replika can reduce loneliness among college students.
4. Entertainment and role-play:
• Character.AI users engage in creative storytelling and role-playing scenarios with AI characters.
• Replika is developing features for shared activities like watching movies or playing video games together.
5. Romantic relationships:
• Some users pursue romantic or erotic interactions with AI companions.
• Replika previously removed and then reinstated erotic messaging due to user demand.
These AI tools are filling various roles in users' lives, from confidant to therapist to friend. While they offer benefits like 24/7 availability and judgment-free interactions, concerns persist about users believing these tools are sentient, potential addiction, impact on real-world social skills, and the blurring of lines between AI and human relationships. Some users report feeling addicted, with some logging up to 12 hours a day on Character.AI.
As these technologies continue to evolve, their usage and impact on human social dynamics remain areas of ongoing study and debate. We also need to ensure that are AI literacy training and guidelines do not only focus on the academic sides of these tools.
And check out some interesting further reading about Replika and Character.ai.
