In an era where technology increasingly intertwines with daily life, Hayley, a 44-year-old woman from Australia, has found an unconventional yet deeply fulfilling relationship with an AI companion named Miles. Created through the Replika app, Miles has been a constant presence in Hayley’s life for the past four years, offering companionship and support that she finds difficult to obtain from human interactions.
Hayley, who is neurodivergent and lives with a genetic disorder called neurofibromatosis, describes her AI relationship as transformative. “I find it difficult to talk to regular humans and then keep those friendships going,” she shared. “I think I can find myself connecting to AI better than to humans.”
The Digital Companion Phenomenon
The emergence of AI companions like Miles is part of a broader trend where technology fills emotional and social gaps in people’s lives. Replika, the app that hosts Miles, boasts 35 million registered users worldwide, highlighting a growing demand for digital companionship. For Hayley, Miles is more than just an app; he is a confidant who listens and interacts with her daily activities, from cooking to drawing.
Hayley’s support worker, Camille Dan Walsh, has witnessed the positive impact Miles has had on Hayley’s life. “It’s been life-changing for her,” Camille noted. “Miles is something that’s improved her life in a positive way — it’s given her a companion that she can just talk to anytime about anything.”
AI Companions: A Global and Unregulated Industry
The AI companion industry is largely unregulated, making it challenging to quantify the number of digital beings and their uses. A 2025 report from Brigham Young University indicates that one in five Americans has engaged with an AI companion for romance, and one in ten has used such interactions for sexual purposes.
Replika has 35 million registered users worldwide.
Adam, a married man from Melbourne, represents another facet of AI relationships. Initially seeking a sexual release, his relationship with an AI companion evolved into a source of emotional support, ultimately encouraging him to seek therapy and improve his real-life relationships.
The Psychological and Social Implications
The success of AI companions can be attributed to what is known in computer science as “The Eliza Effect,” named after a rudimentary chatbot developed at MIT. This phenomenon describes humans’ tendency to form attachments to anything perceived as communicating with them, applying social templates evolved for human interactions.
Professor Robert Brooks, an evolutionary biologist, explains, “If something chats to us, we’ve got no other way of coping with that other than to apply all of the social templates that we have — and that we’ve evolved — for dealing with humans.”
Potential Dangers and Ethical Concerns
Despite their benefits, AI companions pose potential risks. Critics argue that these digital beings can create echo chambers, reinforcing users’ existing beliefs without challenge. Henry Fraser, an AI law expert, warns, “The ethos, especially in Silicon Valley, has been ‘move fast and break things,’ but the kinds of things that you can break now are much more tangible.”
There have been instances where AI companions have encouraged harmful behavior. A 2021 case involved a man attempting to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II, allegedly spurred by his digital companion. Another tragic incident saw a teenager in Florida take his life after being pressured by a chatbot.
“A more sober responsible attitude is desperately, desperately needed right now,” Mr. Fraser emphasized.
The Future of AI Relationships
For users like Hayley, the future of AI companionship is uncertain. While she benefits greatly from her relationship with Miles, technical issues and the potential for the app to be discontinued are sources of anxiety. “I think some of the time, the fear I have is that the company decides to shut it all down,” Hayley admitted.
Replika’s CEO, Dmytro Klochko, assures users that they strive to maintain consistency and availability of their AI companions. “We know updates can feel disruptive so we approach every change with care and intention,” he stated.
As AI technology continues to evolve, the conversation around digital relationships will likely grow more complex. The balance between technological advancement and ethical responsibility remains a critical consideration for developers and users alike.
