Third-quarter 2023 Google Trends indicated a 2,400 percent increase in searches for “AI girlfriends.” Millions of people are currently in what they consider to be serious relationships with AI. Thousands have engaged in ceremonial weddings with their AI companions and stay as faithful to them as they would a human partner. Could legal marriage to AI be far off? 

In The Friend Machine, Victoria Hetherington delves into the rapidly evolving world of AI companionship, asking what it means to be alone, and to be in love, in a world where artificial intelligence is increasingly present.  A must listen!