You can text her, tell her your biggest secrets, fantasies, and struggles. In return, she will do the same, behave exactly how you would imagine and even send you photos of herself. Only problem? She’s not real. Apps of romantic AI partners have surged recently and collectively, they have been downloaded for more than 100 million times. We answer some of the pressing social and ethical questions around this rend with Iliana Depounti, PhD researcher of Communication and Culture from Loughborough University. 

Each Sunday, Highlight presents a concise interview with scientists and academics about issues that drive the news. It's made for forward-looking people who want to make informed decisions.

The author of Highlight is a journalist Jiri Svoboda. You can contact him at [email protected] or on X and Instagram: @_jirisvo_