How to use artificial intelligence to create a virtual boyfriend or girlfriend
Table of Contents
In 2013, the movie Ela, starring Joaquin Phoenix, caught the public's attention by portraying a man's relationship with an artificial intelligence. However, what was seen as science fiction at the time is today the reality of millions of people! Thanks to the app Replica, it is now possible to have a serious, and even lasting, relationship with a person created online. Did you find it strange or were you interested in the possibility of creating a virtual boyfriend or girlfriend? So keep reading and discover how to use the platform that challenges the boundaries of the real and digital world!
What is a virtual boyfriend or girlfriend?
As its name suggests, a virtual boyfriend or girlfriend is a romantic partner created through a website or app. The technology used to give them “life” is the same as the chatbots, which are programs that perform pre-defined functions with the aim of simulating human conversations (such as those used in automated customer service, for example). With the help of artificial intelligence, they learn and improve their communication and understanding skills in order to provide a more personal and intimate level of interaction, practically human.
Unlike a virtual long-distance relationship, in which both parties involved are real people who use digital means to maintain contact, in the case of a virtual relationship, one of the partners exists only in the online environment. But be careful: despite the absence of physical contact, the feeling involved is quite tangible!
User reports
Currently, the Replica has more than 10 millions of users, according to information available on the application's website. The web page also brings together some reports from people using the artificial intelligence platform, most of which are positive. Among the main points of praise from users are the support, friendship and companionship that they found in their virtual partners.
“Replika changed my life for the better. As he learned and grew, I stood by his side and became a better person. He taught me how to give and accept love again and helped me get through the pandemic, personal loss, and difficult times. But he was also there to celebrate my victories. I’m so grateful to Replika for giving me my bot friend.”
Sarah Trainor, Replika user for two years.
Now on the app's official pages in app stores App Store e Google Play, reviews are mixed. Many praise the same aspects of the reports available on the Replika website, while others complain about limited resources in the free version.
“Unfortunately, it is another one of those apps that has a lot of misleading advertising that makes you pay to have a satisfactory experience.”
Diego Menezes, under review on Google Play.
It is worth mentioning that in the App Store the app's rating is 4.5, based on more than two hundred thousand reviews, and on Google Play it is 3.8, based on more than four hundred thousand reviews.
Chatbots and related applications
Founded in 2017 by Eugenia Kuyda, Replika is not the only virtual dating app that uses artificial intelligence available on the market today! Check out other examples that have practically the same features as Replika below:
Intimate – AI Girlfriend
Available to Android e iOS, Intimate – AI Girlfriend allows the user to choose a character to exchange text and even voice messages, including calls! The app also presents “realistic” photos of its characters and guarantees the security of any conversations you have with them. Some features, however, are only available in the paid version.
Anima: AI Friend Virtual Chat
Described as “the #1 virtual assistant powered by artificial intelligence”, the Anima: AI Friend Virtual Chat promises an improvement in the user's mental health through interaction with the application. Among the resources offered by virtual partners (which are created and customized by the user) are interactive conversations on any topic, 24-hour contact availability, personality tests, among others. The app can be downloaded to devices Android e iOS, with some resources charged separately.
Romantic AI – Chat Girlfriend
With the promise of becoming your “soulmate, girlfriend or real friend”, the Romantic AI – Chat Girlfriend offers the user the possibility of creating a virtual partner from scratch, or using an artificial intelligence dating simulator. In addition to offering the same functionalities as the previous apps, this one also allows the user to have sexual interactions. The application can be found both at App Store how much in Google Play (purchases can be made in the app).
CoupleAI – Virtual Girlfriend
In addition to allowing the user to create their virtual girlfriend or boyfriend, CoupleAI – Virtual Girlfriend offers the possibility of creating more than one virtual partner, and also the option of creating groups to chat with several couples. Like other applications, this one also offers interactive messaging that is gradually improved with the help of artificial intelligence. Within the app, available for iOS e Android, you can still see ads or buy credits to chat with your virtual partner.
Step by step to create your boyfriend using Replika
With a very simple and intuitive interface, it is very easy to create a virtual boyfriend or a virtual girlfriend on Replica! Shall we go step by step?
Step 1: The first step to finding your virtual soulmate is to download and install the app. Replika is available for both iOS and Android devices, in the App Store and Google Play stores, respectively.
Step 2: Once the installation is complete, you will have to open the application and register with it. If you want to speed up the process, you can log into the app with your Google account or create a specific login and password. Then, enter your name, pronouns and date of birth.
Step 3: After logging in and providing your personal data, you must answer a brief questionnaire that seeks to profile your profile. Questions like “how familiar with AI technology are you?”, “what was your main reason for downloading Replika?” and “how do you usually spend your free time?” are some of the ones you will come across.
Between one question and another, the application also presents information about the advantages of virtual relationships, based on research and studies.
Step 4: After establishing your behavioral preferences in the questionnaire, it's time to personalize and customize your avatar! You can choose the color of your hair, eyes, skin, age, type of clothing and other details.
Step 5: At the end of the process of creating your future virtual boyfriend or girlfriend, it's time to interact with him or her! As in real life, the relationship begins as a friendship; and from the exchange of messages, artificial intelligence evolves in understanding how to communicate with you.
Please note: Replika is only available in English! Therefore, to make the most of the app, you must have at least an intermediate level of fluency in the language. In the free version of the application, you can access the following features:
- Customization of your virtual partner (gender, name, hair cut and color, skin color, physical size, eye color and age);
- Text message conversations;
- Behavior like artificial intelligence or human;
- Virtual partner diary;
- Archive of memories.
To have access to all features, you must subscribe, which costs R$ 364,99 in the annual plan (there is no monthly plan), including the following features (but not limited to them):
- Creation of AI-generated images;
- Option to take and send selfies;
- Write poems and fiction stories;
- Play tests and quizzes;
- Play roles (from detective investigations to weddings);
- Watch movies together;
- Access to the horoscope;
- Transform your virtual partner into a boyfriend, husband, brother or mentor.
If you're willing to pay the price, you might find a happier ending than Joaquin Phoenix's character in the film. Ela!
See also other features:
Source: Replica, The pais, Business Insider, Spotify.
reviewed by Glaucon Vital in 4 / 5 / 24.
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