The South Korean film 'Wonderland' illustrates the growing trend of AI companionship, featuring a woman who maintains a romantic relationship with an AI version of her comatose boyfriend.

Character AI, popular in the US, offers emotional support through virtual mentors and therapists, boasting over 20 million users globally as of 2024.

Experts caution that reliance on AI companions may negatively affect real-life relationships and interpersonal skills, potentially leading to attachment disorders.

Concerns have been raised about the potential for scams involving generative AI, prompting calls for regulations to ensure user safety.

The narratives surrounding AI companionship, as seen in both studies and films, reflect a significant cultural shift towards integrating AI into personal relationships.

The concept of AI companionship is rapidly gaining traction, exemplified by platforms like Zeta, which enables users to interact with a variety of virtual personalities inspired by real people.

Since its beta launch in April, Zeta has attracted over 600,000 users, with each spending an average of 133 minutes daily on the app.

Zeta allows users to engage with 650,000 virtual personalities modeled after characters from web novels, movies, and dramas, further enhancing the appeal of AI companionship.

Replika, another notable AI chatbot founded by Eugenia Kuyda, helps users forge emotional connections by recalling past conversations and creating shared memories.

Replika boasts over 10 million users, with approximately 25% opting for premium features to maintain their relationships with virtual companions.

A Stanford University study found that Replika can significantly mitigate loneliness and suicidal thoughts, with 3% of users reporting it as a protective factor against suicidal ideation.

In South Korea, AI robots like Hyodol are being utilized in elderly care, providing companionship and assisting with medication reminders and emergency calls.