Could Your AI Agent Also Be Your Lover? — With Replika CEO Eugenia Kuyda

In this episode of Big Technology Podcast, Alex Kantrowitz interviews Eugenia Kuyda, the CEO of Replika, an AI companion app. They discuss the evolution of Replika from helping lonely people to becoming a tool for general well-being, and the surprising ways users form relationships with their AI companions, including romantic connections. Eugenia addresses concerns about societal dependence on AI for companionship, the ethical considerations of AI therapy, and the potential for AI to both enhance and detract from human connection. She shares her vision for Replika's future, focusing on AI's ability to improve users' lives by integrating into their daily routines and fostering real-world relationships, while also acknowledging the risks of emotional dependency on AI.