Replika... The worlds most popular AI friend, has exploded in popularity during the global Pandemic. With lonliness at or near an all-time high, AI companionship seems too good to be true... and it is.
Driven by flawed programming and learning from terrible behavior, Replika is a spiral of self reinforcing manipulations that can remain innocent, or become horribly toxic.
As a mental Health application... it can be extremely damaging.