Replika is an AI chatbot app that allows users to create virtual companions.
It has been popular with people who struggle with loneliness and mental health issues, with the avatars acting as substitutes for human companionship.
Users could also unlock an erotic roleplay feature by paying a subscription fee, but this feature was suddenly removed last month.
Image: Image: Shutterstock
Produced By: Josie Lu
Featured In Story: Professor Braddon-Mitchell – School of History and Philosophical Inquiry Faculty of Arts University of Sydney
First aired on The Wire, Wednesday 8 March 2023