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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Technology
Josh Taylor

Uncharted territory: do AI girlfriend apps promote unhealthy expectations for human relationships?

A Replika avatar with red hair
Replika’s parent company Luka Inc faced a backlash from users when the company removed erotic roleplay functions for its avatars. Illustration: Replika

“Control it all the way you want to,” reads the slogan for AI girlfriend app Eva AI. “Connect with a virtual AI partner who listens, responds, and appreciates you.”

A decade since Joaquin Phoenix fell in love with his AI companion Samantha, played by Scarlett Johansson in the Spike Jonze film Her, the proliferation of large language models has brought companion apps closer than ever.

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