Document Type

Article

Publication Title

The Lindenwood Gateway Reader

Abstract

  • The Problem: The researcher addresses the harmful individual and societal impacts of relying on AI relationships, specifically focusing on emotional dependency, addiction, financial exploitation, and the erosion of real-world social skills.

  • The Method: The author performs a comparative analysis of Sangeeta Singh-Kurtz's article "The Man of Your Dreams" alongside research and expert testimonies from tech and relationship fields published between 2023 and 2025.

  • Quantitative Finding: Replika charges a subscription fee of $69.99 per year, offers unlimited access for a one-time fee of $300, and is documented to have caused at least one user to spend an entire paycheck on the platform.

  • Qualitative Finding: AI companions foster anthropomorphism and severe academic impairment in youth through designed immediacy and continuous agreement; profit-driven tech companies systematically lack incentive to implement safeguards that limit this user dependency.

Publication Date

3-2025

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