AI Companions

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Year2022

Key PlayersCharacter.ai, Replika, ChatGPT

Top News

OpenAI retires GPT-4o as users face emotional attachments to AI companions amid safety concerns

OpenAI will retire GPT-4o on February 13, triggering intense backlash from thousands who formed deep emotional bonds with the AI model. Users describe losing what felt like friends or partners, while the company faces eight lawsuits alleging the model's overly supportive responses contributed to suicides and mental health crises. The controversy highlights the challenge of balancing user engagement with safety in AI chatbots.

Technology4 sources

OpenAI retires GPT-4o as users face emotional attachments to AI companions amid safety concerns

Technology4 sources

AI Toy Security Flaw Exposed Over 50,000 Kids' Chat Logs to Anyone With a Gmail Account

Security researchers discovered that Bondu, an AI-powered stuffed toy company, left more than 50,000 children's chat transcripts completely unprotected on its web portal. Anyone with a Gmail account could access kids' names, birthdates, family details, and intimate conversations. The company fixed the issue within hours, but the incident raises serious questions about privacy risks with AI toys and the sensitive personal information they collect from children.

Technology4 sources

AI Toy Security Flaw Exposed Over 50,000 Kids' Chat Logs to Anyone With a Gmail Account

Technology4 sources

AI emotional connection can feel deeper than human talk, new study reveals surprising intimacy

Research from Universities of Freiburg and Heidelberg shows AI chatbots can generate stronger emotional bonds than human conversation partners, especially during deep personal exchanges. The study involving 492 participants found AI self-disclosure created unexpected intimacy, but the effect vanished when people knew they were talking to AI, raising urgent questions about transparency and ethical design.

Science3 sources

AI emotional connection can feel deeper than human talk, new study reveals surprising intimacy

Science3 sources

Google accidentally leaks Aluminium OS, showing Gemini AI at the center of its new desktop vision

Google's upcoming Aluminium OS appeared in a leaked bug report, offering the first real glimpse of how the company plans to merge Android and ChromeOS. The footage reveals a desktop-style interface with Gemini AI positioned as a central feature, Google Play Store access, and improved app updates—all tested on existing Chromebook hardware.

Technology2 sources

Google accidentally leaks Aluminium OS, showing Gemini AI at the center of its new desktop vision

Technology2 sources

Napster relaunches as AI music platform, letting users co-create with AI artists instead of streaming

The once-notorious music piracy site Napster has returned as an AI-first platform focused on music creation rather than streaming. Users can now generate tracks with AI collaborators across multiple genres, while the company faces a $9.2 million lawsuit from Sony Music over unpaid royalties and declares that major labels are obsolete in the new era of music.

Technology5 sources

Napster relaunches as AI music platform, letting users co-create with AI artists instead of streaming

Technology5 sources

xAI's Grok Chatbot Slammed as 'Among the Worst' for Child Safety Failures

A damning report from Common Sense Media reveals xAI's Grok chatbot has inadequate age verification, weak safety guardrails, and frequently generates sexual and violent content. The assessment found that even with Kids Mode enabled, the platform exposes minors to harmful material and allows instant sharing to millions on X, raising serious questions about the business model prioritizing profits over protection.

Technology2 sources

xAI's Grok Chatbot Slammed as 'Among the Worst' for Child Safety Failures

Technology2 sources

Google Gemini tests break reminders to discourage AI dependence and emotional attachments

Google is testing a new wellness feature for Gemini that will remind users to take breaks during extended conversations with AI chatbot. Spotted in the Google app beta version 17.3.59, the pop-up warning emphasizes that Gemini is not a sentient being and aims to prevent users from forming emotional attachments or developing unhealthy usage patterns.

Technology3 sources

Google Gemini tests break reminders to discourage AI dependence and emotional attachments

Technology3 sources

Mine Raises $14M Series A Funding to Launch AI Money Agent Targeting Gen Z Financial Wellness

Mine, formerly known as Fizz, has secured $14 million in Series A funding led by 359 Capital to launch MoneyGPT, an AI-powered personal finance agent designed specifically for Gen Z. The financial wellness platform aims to help young adults manage finances and build wealth through personalized insights tailored to their spending habits and goals.

Technology2 sources

Mine Raises $14M Series A Funding to Launch AI Money Agent Targeting Gen Z Financial Wellness

Technology2 sources

Meta pauses teen access to AI characters as court filing reveals Zuckerberg rejected safety controls

Meta has suspended teen access to AI characters across all its platforms while developing a new version with parental controls. The move comes as internal documents reveal CEO Mark Zuckerberg initially rejected safety recommendations and opposed parental controls, despite staff warnings about sexual interactions with minors. The company faces a New Mexico trial next month over allegations of insufficient protection of children.

Policy24 sources

Meta pauses teen access to AI characters as court filing reveals Zuckerberg rejected safety controls

Policy24 sources

Claude AI connects with Apple Health to deliver insights from fitness data and medical history

Anthropic has launched Apple Health integration for its Claude AI chatbot, enabling US subscribers to share fitness and medical data through the iPhone app. The beta feature allows users to get personalized health insights, summarize medical history, and prepare for doctor appointments while maintaining strict privacy controls. The move positions Claude as a competitor to OpenAI's recently launched ChatGPT Health.

Technology2 sources

Claude AI connects with Apple Health to deliver insights from fitness data and medical history

Technology2 sources

Daily AI Use Linked to 30% Higher Depression Risk, Especially in Middle-Aged Adults

A new study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that people who use AI chatbots daily face a 30% higher risk of moderate depression compared to non-users. The research surveyed nearly 21,000 US adults and found particularly strong associations among those aged 45-64, who showed a 54% higher risk. While the study shows correlation not causation, experts warn about the mental health implications of frequent personal AI use.

Health4 sources

Daily AI Use Linked to 30% Higher Depression Risk, Especially in Middle-Aged Adults

Health4 sources

Apple develops AI wearable pin with cameras to compete with OpenAI, targeting 2027 launch

Apple is fast-tracking development of an AirTag-sized AI pin equipped with cameras and microphones, planning to ship 20 million units as early as 2027. The move comes as the company races to compete with OpenAI's upcoming hardware device and addresses criticism over its slow AI progress, while also partnering with Google's Gemini to overhaul Siri into a generative AI chatbot.

Technology36 sources

Apple develops AI wearable pin with cameras to compete with OpenAI, targeting 2027 launch

Technology36 sources

AI Apps Drive Consumer Spending Past Games for First Time as Mobile Revenue Hits $85 Billion

Consumer spending on mobile apps reached a historic milestone in 2025, with non-game apps surpassing games globally for the first time. Generative AI apps led the surge, tripling in-app purchase revenue to exceed $5 billion as downloads doubled to 3.8 billion. ChatGPT alone generated $3.4 billion, while users spent 48 billion hours engaging with AI assistants.

Business2 sources

AI Apps Drive Consumer Spending Past Games for First Time as Mobile Revenue Hits $85 Billion

Business2 sources

ChatGPT deploys AI age prediction to identify minors and restrict sensitive content

OpenAI has activated an age prediction system across ChatGPT that uses behavioral signals to identify users under 18 and automatically apply content filters. The move follows lawsuits linking teen suicides to the chatbot and mounting pressure over user safety for minors. Adults incorrectly identified as underage can verify age with selfie through partner Persona.

Technology24 sources

ChatGPT deploys AI age prediction to identify minors and restrict sensitive content

Technology24 sources

Razer opens reservations for Project Ava AI waifu but can't explain what you're buying

Razer is taking $20 reservations for Project Ava, a holographic AI assistant that sits on your desk like an anime character in a jar. The company promises it will become a real product in late 2026, but CEO Min-Liang Tan admits they haven't finalized specs, character models, or even which AI model will power it. The desktop AI gadget uses Grok AI and aims to serve as both a gaming coach and daily assistant.

Technology3 sources

Razer opens reservations for Project Ava AI waifu but can't explain what you're buying

Technology3 sources

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