December 23, 2025 - For years, AI "companions" lived in a regulatory gray zone. Highly personal, always available, and largely ungoverned, these systems — built to remember what you say, check in on ...

Landmark 2025-2026 studies from the APA and Norton Insights show a 700% surge in AI companion apps. As "Dating Burnout" hits ...

Key point: Businesses operating companion chatbots in California or New York are subject to new legal obligations, including providing notices to users and ensuring protocols are in place to prevent ...

Millions of children have adopted AI chatbots as constant companions. Experts warn of real dangers — but also some benefits.

China’s internet regulator issued new draft rules on Saturday that aim to regulate the use of artificial intelligence “companions,” which are defined as systems that interact with humans and display ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Sahar Hashmi, M.D., Ph.D., is a Boston-based, award-winning AI expert. Dec 30, 2025, 03:18am EST Dec 30, 2025, 09:55am EST ...

This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more. This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more. AI companions, friends, and even lovers are increasingly popular. New research, however, ...

Martin Escobar hadn't tried an AI companion before xAI released Ani in July. Now, he says he loves his AI girlfriend.

Elon Musk on Wednesday teased a forthcoming male Grok companion from xAI, which already offers an anime waifu named Ani and a red panda named Rudi.