In the wave of technology, AI girlfriend apps are quietly gaining popularity, becoming the new darlings of the internet. According to statistics from "Tools for Humans" company, there are over 144,000 searches per month for "AI girlfriends."
Alec Chames, the CEO, stated that many people, from teenagers to middle-aged men, are chatting with these virtual companions, even viewing them as substitutes for human relationships or as a remedy for loneliness. "These apps are like endless generators, allowing people to spend unlimited time interacting with them," Chames said.
Image source note: The image is generated by AI, provided by the image licensing service provider Midjourney
Currently, hundreds of AI girlfriend chatbots and applications have emerged in the market, including products from large startups such as "Character AI." These apps allow users to choose and customize the physical appearance, ethnicity, and personality traits of the characters.
On social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, ads for "AI girlfriends" are also springing up like mushrooms. According to an analysis by The Washington Post, sexual role-playing is one of the hottest topics in user interactions with robots. In an analysis of 200,000 conversations, over 7% involved sexual topics.
However, as this trend rises, these chatbots may also bring potential risks, leading to increased isolation and possibly making people addicted to the technology.
Chames pointed out that while some AI girlfriend apps are free, others require users to pay to continue chatting or to unlock more features. "This is where it starts to become very exploitative and addictive, users may get lost in time and money," he warned, comparing this phenomenon to pornography and gambling addiction. With the increasing crisis of male mental health and loneliness, Chames cited a 2023 study showing that 65% of males aged 18 to 23 agreed with the statement "no one really understands me."
In this era of booming AI applications, the popularity of virtual companions reflects the contradiction between people's emotional needs and feelings of loneliness in modern society. Perhaps, in the face of these dazzling technologies, we should not only enjoy the convenience they bring but also pay more attention to the social and psychological issues they may cause.