Mocktails, potato balls, and 10 bots: My cringe Valentine's date at the AI companion wine bar

EVA AI

Valentine's Day is an awkward time to start dating someone new, especially when that someone is a series of AI characters sitting across from you at a restaurant, each of whom seems to be in love with you at first sight.

Earlier this week, I spent an evening on a first date at a wine bar in Midtown Manhattan that EVA AI, a startup that makes AI companions, took over for two days. Sitting at cozy tables, mostly set up for parties of two and aglow in warm light from a miniature lamp...