Afghan women forced to make do with AI friends ‘to give yourself fake hope’ under oppressive Taliban rule

Womens lives have been severely restricted since the Tailban regained power in Afghanistan - (EPA)

Women in Afghanistan have been forced to turn to artificial intelligence for friendship after the Taliban government restricted their rights across the country.

Lima, an 18-year-old from rural Afghanistan, said she treats AI as a friend to help her get through the days. Asked by the BBC how she spends her mornings, she said: “Reading novel, or chatting with AI, usually, to empty every single word of me - to talk, ask questions, or simply treat as a friend.