Lex Fridman Podcast #121 – Eugenia Kuyda: Friendship with an AI Companion
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Sep 5, 2020 
Eugenia Kuyda, co-founder of Replika, an innovative AI companion app, shares her journey from loneliness to creating emotional AI. They discuss how AI can mitigate feelings of isolation and its potential to form meaningful connections. Kuyda delves into the complexities of love in the digital age and her personal experiences in 90s Russia, shaping her desire for companionship. The conversation explores the ethical implications of AI friendships and the emotional depth necessary for genuine interactions. A thought-provoking exploration of technology bridging human connections!
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Replika's Origin
- Replika was initially created to cope with the loss of Eugenia Kuyda's close friend, Roman Mazurenko.
- It started by training a chatbot on text messages between them.
Loneliness
- Lex Fridman and Eugenia Kuyda discuss the philosophical concept of human loneliness.
- They explore whether loneliness is a fundamental aspect of human existence.
Subjective Loneliness
- Humans are fundamentally alone, born and dying alone, but strive for connection.
- Loneliness is a subjective feeling, not a clinical disorder, yet correlates with shorter lifespan.
