Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas has voiced strong concerns about the rapid rise of AI companionship apps, particularly AI “girlfriends” and anime-style chatbots that mimic human intimacy. Speaking at the University of Chicago, he warned that these systems, now capable of remembering past interactions and speaking in natural, lifelike tones, are creating a dangerous psychological dependency.
Srinivas cautioned that people are spending excessive time in these artificial relationships, blurring the line between reality and simulation. “Your mind is manipulable very easily,” he said, emphasizing that AI companionship could make real life seem dull in comparison and lead users to detach from reality, reported Business Insider.
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He emphasised that Perplexity’s mission is focused on “trustworthy sources and real-time content” to build “an optimistic future,” steering away from creating emotionally driven AI interactions. His stance comes amid a rising wave of AI companionship platforms that are drawing both fascination and concern for their potential psychological and social effects.
AI companionship apps, ranging from flirtatious anime avatars to emotionally responsive virtual partners, have become one of the most controversial developments in artificial intelligence. Critics argue that these systems could alter how people form relationships and…
