An intimate investigation into the $3 billion AI companion industry, featuring real user stories of people forming deep emotional bonds with chatbots like Replika and Character.AI. Mercer examines the sophisticated psychological techniques used to create artificial intimacy, explores the mental health benefits and risks of digital relationships, and confronts the unsettling reality that millions now prefer AI partners over human connections. The episode reveals how algorithms are being designed to love us, support us, and potentially manipulate us in ways that challenge everything we thought we knew about relationships.

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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI