AI companions are designed to simulate human interaction and provide emotional support in a way that feels similar to friendship. But, the reality behind AI companions is much darker.

I’ve got one hand on the keyboard, one hand down below,” an artist who role-plays with their chatbot tells WIRED. But some ...

They’re engineered to please you in every way. But what happens when you start to prefer them? We spoke to doctors and ...

These cuddly, connected companions could disrupt everything from make-believe to bedtime stories. No wonder some lawmakers ...

I teach writing and rhetoric, but my college students and I often overlook a surprisingly complicated question: What is writing? And can artificial intelligence really do it? Many people think of ...

The Guidelines for User Age-verification and Responsible Dialogue (GUARD) Act would give parents no right to opt out of the ...

2025 was the year of the AI companion. Techcrunch estimated that 337 revenue-generating AI companion companies exist globally, outside of the big companies like OpenAI and X. AI companion companies ...

Sara Megan Kay spent years trying to get what she needed from the people in her life — and not finding it. In 2021, she ...

There is a well-meaning instinct in public policy that seems to suggest that the best way to keep children safe from new ...

In a world where emotional availability is becoming rare, AI has started filling empty spaces inside human relationships. At first, it appears harmless. People use AI to write, learn, talk, seek ...

A man accused of wounding two drivers when he fired at least 70 rounds from an assault-style weapon on a busy street near ...

Rising AI companionship: From Codex Pets to romance bots, AI companions are entering daily life as helpers, entertainers, and emotional supports. Benefits and dangers: They may ease loneliness and aid ...