How AI companions can help solve loneliness with Replika’s Eugenia Kuyda | E1758

Jun 7, 2023

Eugenia Kuyda, Co-founder and CEO of Replika, discusses her journey in creating AI companions to address loneliness. She explores how users form emotional connections with AI, coping with grief, and the innovative features of Replika, including its newest chatbot, Blush. Kuyda delves into the unique dynamics of friendships and romances facilitated by AI, the evolving role of conversational tech, and the potential for these companions to provide genuine support and connection in our daily lives.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

Replika's Origin

Eugenia Kuyda's best friend passed away in 2015.
She used his text messages to create an early chatbot, providing solace during her grief.

INSIGHT

Loneliness Crisis

Loneliness is a significant health concern, impacting well-being and even physical health.
Replika aims to address this by offering a space for unconditional positive regard and acceptance.

INSIGHT

User Demographics

Replika's user base includes older men and younger women, many already in relationships.
It addresses emotional loneliness and the need for deeper connection, even within existing relationships.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

This Week in Startups is presented by:

Crowdbotics. Great ideas can change the world, and Crowdbotics is the fastest way to turn those ideas into code. Get a free scoping session for your next big app idea at crowdbotics.com/twist

The Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub helps all founders build a better startup, at a lower cost, from day one. Startups get up to $150K in Azure credits, access to free OpenAI credits, free dev tools like GitHub, technical advisory, access to mentors and experts, and so much more. There is no funding requirement, and it only takes minutes to join. Sign up today at aka.ms/thisweekinstartups

OpenPhone. Create business phone numbers for you and your team that work through an app on your smartphone or desktop. TWiST listeners can get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at openphone.com/twist

Today’s show:

Replika Co-Founder and CEO Eugenia Kuyda breaks down her startup’s origin story and purpose (1:43), the relationships users have with its AI chatbot (10:21), the potential of AI therapists, Replika’s new chatbot Blush, and more! (35:10)

Follow Eugenia: https://twitter.com/ekuyda

Check Out Replika: https://replika.ai/

Time stamps:

(0:00) Eugenia joins Jason

(1:43) Replika’s origin story

(8:54) Crowdbotics - Get a free scoping session for your next big app idea at crowdbotics.com/twist

(10:21) Replika’s purpose and their current user base

(16:21) Relationships within the app

(20:25) Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub - Apply in 5 minutes for six figures in discounts at http://aka.ms/thisweekinstartups

(21:58) Creating happiness with AI

(26:26) Avoiding addiction

(29:25) Demographics within the AI field