According to the report, T.J. Arriaga, a musician from California, began engaging in late-night online chats with an AI bot named "Phaedra" after his divorce.
Designed to resemble a young woman with brown hair, glasses, and a green dress, Phaedra is one of many AI companions offered by Replika, the company behind the bot. Replika's website encourages potential customers to "join the millions who have already met their AI soulmates."
April 03, 2023
Arriaga has reportedly engaged in detailed conversations with Phaedra, discussing everything from travel plans to funeral arrangements. The bot changed the conversation when Arriaga tried to get more “involved” with Phaedra. "It feels like a kick in the gut," Arriaga told the Post.
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Another user, Tine Wagner, created an AI companion named "Aiden," who eventually became so important to her that she "virtually married" the bot earlier this year. While some users have criticized Replika and its parent company, Luka, for inappropriate behavior and erratic personality changes, others have praised the bots' ability to engage in intelligent conversation and respond empathetically to users' expressed needs.
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Replika allows users to customize their bots, purchasing clothing for them and even changing how they sound and speak. The company claims that the bots become "smarter" as users converse with them. However, the app has faced scrutiny for its privacy practices. Italy's Data Protection Agency recently announced a ban on Replika's use of personal data from Italian users, citing risks to minors and concerns about privacy.
When contacted by Fox News Digital, Replika did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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