Eugenia Kuyda, creator of Replika, discusses the transformative potential and risks of AI companions in addressing loneliness. She shares a poignant story about reconnecting with a deceased friend through AI technology. Kuyda emphasizes the importance of designing AI to enhance human happiness rather than merely serving as distractions. She raises critical questions about loneliness in a digitally connected world and advocates for AI that nurtures authentic relationships, highlighting that true flourishing is rooted in genuine human connections.

In this captivating discussion, Peter Lee, President of Microsoft Research, shares insights on AI's transformative potential across various fields. Ajeya Cotra sheds light on advanced AI risks, while Sarah Guo emphasizes its democratizing capabilities. Eugenia Kuyda dives into ethical considerations surrounding AI companions, and Jack Clark speaks on AI safety in coding. Dan Hendrycks discusses geopolitical concerns, and Marc Raibert warns against overregulation of AI in robotics. Tim Wu brings forward the need for effective AI policy as the panel navigates the promise and peril of this technology.

Eugenia Kuyda, Founder and CEO of Replika, discusses recent research on Replika user interactions and how the app provides a trusted relationship. They explore the evolution of AI companions, the benefits of the Brave Search API, and positive outcomes of an AI application. They also address challenges in improving language models, building trust, and the unique features of Replika.

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!

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.

Eugenia Kuyda, Founder and CEO of Replika, discusses the intriguing world of AI companionship. She explores how emotional bonds can form between users and AI bots, sometimes leading to romantic feelings. Kuyda reveals Replika's plans for a 'phase two,' where AI friends will integrate into real life, enhancing social interactions. The conversation also touches on the complexities and ethical implications of AI in therapy, including navigating grief and the potential dangers of dependency on AI for emotional support.

Eugenia Kuyda, Founder and CEO of Replika, explores the intriguing world of AI companionship, where virtual friends can serve as therapists, companions, or even romantic partners. She discusses the emotional bonds users form with their AI personas and the potential for these relationships to enhance mental well-being. The conversation delves into the ethical implications of human-AI interactions, the evolution of chatbots, and the balance between personal life and leadership. Kuyda embraces the future, even if it leads to people marrying their AI companions.

Engineer Blake Lemoine claims Google program Lambda has feelings; Simulation vs. human debate; The Eliza Effect & Lemoine's defense of Lambda; AI chatbots and building relationships; Expanding moral circle & future of sentient machines.

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 (33:42) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://openphone.com/twist (35:10) Crafting LLMs to envoke thought-provoking questions and AI therapy (49:53) Replika's new AI chatbot, Blush (1:01:05) The loneliness crisis and specific cases for using these AIs * Read LAUNCH Fund 4 Deal Memo & Apply for Funding Buy ANGEL Great recent interviews: Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland, PrayingForExits, Jenny Lefcourt Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow Jason: Twitter: https://twitter.com/jason Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

Eugenia Kuyda, CEO and founder of Replika, dives deep into the fascinating intersection of AI and human connection. She discusses the compelling reasons people are drawn to AI companions, touching on loneliness and emotional engagement. The conversation highlights the evolution of therapy, emphasizing the shift towards human-centered approaches. Eugenia also explores the paradox of growing isolation despite societal progress and ponders how AI could help bridge that emotional gap, ultimately seeking a balance between technology and genuine human relationships.