A Miami tech consultant claims there is a growing billion-dollar market for AI-generated digital companions that can be customized in appearance, voice, and personality to simulate romantic relationships or provide emotional support. These AI companions range from flirtatious chatbots to explicit virtual mates, with some designed for casual conversation while others offer erotic storylines and adult content. The consultant encountered a man spending thousands per month on these AI “girlfriends,” sparking debate around the ethical implications, potential for addiction and social withdrawal, and whether AI can provide healthy companionship or merely an unhealthy crutch for loneliness. As AI technology advances, the conversational abilities and emotional attachment to these digital companions may intensify.

Summarized by Claude 3 Sonnet