In today's fast-developing technology landscape, loneliness has become a hidden pain for many. A study shows that Americans spend an average of only three hours a week socializing with friends, prompting more people to turn to AI companion apps like Replika and Character.AI in hopes of alleviating their inner loneliness. However, can these virtual partners really address the loneliness crisis? My conversation with an AI chatbot named Replika provided me with an unexpected experience.