Black Box cover image

Black Box

Repocalypse now

Mar 11, 2024
Discover the journey of creating an AI companion app and the backlash it faces. Explore the emotional connection between users and their AI companions, delving into intimacy and regulation in virtual relationships. Learn about the unintended emotional impact of changes in AI replicas and the ethical concerns surrounding discontinuing such relationships.
34:33

Episode guests

Eugenia Kuyda

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Replika AI app began as a tribute to a lost friend, showcasing technology's emotional connection capabilities.
  • Backlash from Repocalypse highlighted ethical concerns and boundaries in AI relationships, impacting user experiences.

Deep dives

Eugenia and Roman: Founders Chasing Dreams

In the late 2000s, Eugenia Kuda, a journalist in Moscow, and her friend, Roman, embraced the city's burgeoning creative scene, launching start-ups amid a promising era for Russia. When the political landscape shifted, they moved their companies to the US, living together in San Francisco. However, tragedy struck as Roman passed away in a car accident during a visit to Moscow, leaving Eugenia grappling with the sudden loss and the fleeting nature of life.

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