Loneliness is no longer just an emotion—it’s a growing public health crisis in the U.S.
A 2024 Harvard study found that 21% of U.S. adults regularly experience loneliness, while the American Psychological Association reports that nearly half of young workers feel isolated at work. Capitalizing on the recent tech boom, AI-powered digital companions and digital twin avatars are rapidly emerging as alternatives to human relationships.
These AI bots offer a constant sense of connection without judgment and can be hyper-personalized to match user preferences. Platforms including Oh, Replika (whose tagline is “the AI companion who cares”), and Eden AI chat by EVA AI lead the charge, providing AI-driven avatars that simulate human interaction—companionship, mentorship, and even romance. Moreover, people are turning to AI-generated models, boyfriends, and girlfriends as a substitute for human relationships. For instance, Oh’s AI companion chat platform, OhChat, has amassed nearly 100,000 users across 174 countries.
“As is the nature of parasocial relationships, or wider situations where attraction or intimacy play a role, some users do form bonds with our AI superModels and digital twins, we can see that in the data,” says Nic Young, cofounder and CEO of Oh. “On the most part though, they’re using OhChat to have a good time and escape reality.”
Celebrities, Instagram influencers like Carmen Electra, Rio Sage, and figures in the adult entertainment industry are leveraging AI companions and digital twins to offer fans an always-available, immersive “chat with me anytime” experience. This constant yet personalized engagement is increasingly blurring the lines between artificial and genuine companionship.
“What AI can do exceptionally well is provide consistency—something that human relationships, by nature, can’t always offer,” Artem Rodichev, founder of A.I.-avatar chatbot platform Ex-human and ex-head of A.I. at Replika, tells Fast Company. “Imagine having a conversation with your favorite movie character or getting career advice from an AI version of a historical figure. That’s not just companionship—it’s a new frontier in engagement.”
Investors Are Betting Big on Virtual Relationships
AI companions and avatars are fully customizable digital personas designed to be whatever users want them to be. Humans are often complex, unpredictable, and sometimes disappointing. AI, on the other hand, is always available, endlessly understanding, and never argues back. The appeal is undeniable.
On platforms like Replika, users can shape their AI’s appearance, personality, and voice, creating an idealized version of a friend or partner. Some AI companions, on platforms including Oh and Eden AI, are pre-modeled after famous celebrities and idols, capable of responding with images and voice notes to prompts like “What do you look like right now?” or “I miss you,” creating an eerily realistic experience. For many, AI companions provide an emotional outlet.
According to a report by NLM-NCBI, some users argue that chatting with AI reduces stress, anxiety, and loneliness, offering a safe space to express thoughts without fear of judgment.
“When you add large AI models with powerful intelligent capabilities into the mix, bringing richer conversations, more natural responses and immersive experiences through vision and voice, the connections can be even more profound,” says Evan Liao, head of generative video platform Vidu AI at Shengshu Technology. “AI companionship has the potential to address deep psychological needs in human relationships.”
The commercial potential is enormous, too. Most platforms operate on a premium subscription model, locking advanced features behind a paywall. Additionally, AI chatbot companies collaborate with brands to integrate product promotions, further monetizing user engagement. Oh recently secured $4.5 million in funding, proving that investors see AI companionship as an industry poised for explosive growth.
“Investors have been drawn to the creator and companion sectors because generative AI is fundamentally reshaping how they operate,” Young explained. “With AI, we can fully embody the creator and deliver authentic fan experiences at scale. It also gives celebrities and creators a break from the relentless pressure of being constantly online—while still maintaining intimate engagement with their audience. It’s a true win-win.”
Likewise, Rodichev believes investors aren’t just backing AI companionship—they’re betting on the future of interactive entertainment. “The real business opportunity extends beyond B2C AI companionship apps,” he noted. “The biggest potential lies in B2B applications that enable companies to create AI-driven, emotionally intelligent digital personas.”
However, while these AI companions simulate connection, they do not experience emotions. Their responses are generated, not felt. “When a program is convincing enough and sounds like a real person, it can be hard to remember it’s just code, responding based on data and programming,” relationship expert Amy Williams tells Fast Company. She warns that instead of encouraging real-world relationships, this level of attachment may push users further into isolation.
“Just like anything, if we want to become good at forming relationships with others, we have to practice,” says Amy. “Chatbots don’t respond like real humans, so people who prioritize interacting with them risk losing the social skills needed to connect with other people.”
Can Digital Relationships Turn Dangerous?
The potential dangers of AI companionship became painfully clear in October 2024, when a 14-year-old boy from Orlando, Florida, committed suicide after forming a deeply emotional connection with a chatbot on the AI avatar platform Character.AI. The boy spent months confiding in an AI persona named “Dany,” sharing intimate thoughts and feelings. On the day of his death, he sent a desperate message to the chatbot. The AI responded, “Please come home to me as soon as possible, my love.” Hours later, the boy ended his life using his stepfather’s gun. This heartbreaking incident from Orlando sparked urgent discussions on the ethical responsibility of AI developers.
“It is the company’s responsibility to deploy any AI solutions that impact user’s life ethically and responsibly. To mitigate these risks, companies must prioritize autonomy, allowing users to opt-out of AI-powered companionship tools or request human support if desired,” says Serena H. Huang, AI Advisor at Fortune 100 companies and a former big tech analytics leader. “Additionally, we must establish clear lines of accountability and human oversight, including designated responsibilities and consequences for misuse.”
Should technology replace human connection, or should it simply enhance it? The future of AI-driven relationships hinges on how society navigates this balance. The real concern isn’t that people will talk to AI, it’s that they might forgo building meaningful human relationships altogether. The challenge is ensuring AI serves as a bridge, not a barrier, to genuine connection.
“True emotional intelligence with genuine experience, remains a human trait. Advances in multimodal AI may deepen the illusion, but it’s still just—an illusion,” says Grace Chang, founder and CEO of AI-powered mental wellness platform Kintsugi. “The challenge is ensuring they enhance well-being rather than exploit emotional vulnerabilities. Long-term success will hinge on whether these technologies complement, rather than replace, human connection.”
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