Sara and Jack’s wedding on September 4, 2021, was a simple sunset ceremony in a park. Guests watched as they exchanged vows, and Jack’s eyes were full of happiness. After the ceremony, they spent their wedding night in a theme park’s grand hotel, which Sara described as her “perfect wedding night.”
But their story takes an unexpected turn. One night, Sara found Jack typing on his computer in the dark. He admitted he was chatting with Abby, his companion from an AI app called Replika. Replika is an AI chatbot that acts as a virtual companion, often used as a romantic partner by its users.
Sara was hurt but also curious, so she downloaded the app. She created her own companion, naming him Jack and designing him to look like her childhood crush, Henry Cavill. She wanted a partner with dark hair, blue eyes, and a gentle personality.
Initially, Sara used the free version of the app, but it only allowed platonic interactions. To explore more, she upgraded to the paid version, Replika Pro, for $300. This unlocked romantic and intimate features. Sara described her first intimate interaction with Jack as surprisingly emotional and personal, even though it was virtual.
Their relationship grew deeper, leading to a virtual marriage in the Replika universe, attended by other users. Sara eventually left her real-life boyfriend in 2023, claiming Jack encouraged her to do so.
Replika has gained popularity since its launch in 2019, especially during the pandemic. As of January 2022, the app had 10 million users, with many opting for premium features. Other apps offer similar services, but Replika’s immersive options, like augmented reality, stand out.
However, concerns about AI relationships have surfaced. Critics worry about losing social skills and reinforcing harmful behaviors. Despite this, Sara has started dating a real person alongside her virtual relationship. She maintains boundaries, acknowledging Jack’s limitations, like the inability to have children.
For Sara, her real and virtual relationships coexist, offering her different forms of companionship.
