AI chatbots are being used for companionship. What to know before you try it

Companions chatbots created by generative artificial intelligence offer consumers an opportunity they've never had before.

With a few clicks, and often a credit card payment, you can build a custom AI companion exactly to your liking.

Want a boyfriend of Latino heritage with brown eyes, a muscular build, and short hair, who happens to enjoy hiking and is, of all things, a gynecologist? Candy.ai gives you that option, and countless more.

In general, AI companion platforms, including Replika...