Latest news with #AIcompanions
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
'AI doesn't judge': Why UAE residents turn to bots for love, friendship
UAE residents are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) for friendship, relationship advice and even love; for emotional support and companionship amid shifting social dynamics. 'This rise in AI companion usage reflects a broader shift in emotional behaviour and relationship expectations in the digital age. In the UAE, where digital infrastructure and smartphone usage is exceptionally high, this trend highlights a growing willingness to redefine companionship through technology,' said Andreas Hassellöf, CEO of Ombori and Phygrid. 'While text-based AI companions remain the most widely used, we are seeing a clear shift toward more immersive, multi-modal experiences that incorporate voice and visual elements,' Hassellöf added. He said the 'use of AI girlfriend applications is growing significantly worldwide, particularly among younger demographics." Citing global behavioural data, Hassellöf noted that one in four adults has engaged in flirtatious interactions with AI chatbots, highlighting a transformation in how people, especially digital natives, explore romantic and emotional relationships. In the UAE, this global trend is reflected in robust local engagement with generative AI technologies. In 2024, the UAE's AI companion market was valued at approximately $734 million and is projected to grow to $3.6 billion by 2030, according to Horizon Grand Vew Research. The country currently accounts for 2.6 per cent of the global market and is poised to lead the Middle East and Africa. A recent report by Boston Consulting Group revealed that 91 per cent of UAE consumers are aware of generative AI, and 34 per cent are active users. Among students, usage is even higher, with 32 per cent reporting weekly interaction with such tools. These figures point to a digitally savvy youth population increasingly open to integrating AI into personal and emotional aspects of their lives. Globally, the AI girlfriend market was valued at approximately $2.8 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $9.5 billion by 2028, according to data. 'AI doesn't judge you – people do' The appeal of AI companions stems from a lack of human availability and emotional support in modern life, Deepak Renganathan, AI expert and author of 'AI – The Ultimate Marketing Game Changer', said. 'People today don't have time to truly listen to one another, which contributes to widespread loneliness,' he said. 'That's where AI girlfriends, counsellors, or psychiatrists come in — to offer emotional support. It's similar to how many keep support animals at home for comfort and connection.' He emphasised that AI offers a non-judgmental space, which users find comforting. 'People want someone who listens when they're feeling low, hurt, or even happy — someone to share their emotions with. And AI doesn't judge, but people often do. That's a big reason for its popularity.' Over time, these AI chatbots can be customised. As users interact with them more frequently, the bots begin to better understand their moods, routines, and emotional needs. 'Eventually, they know when you're tired, when you're upset, or when your mood shifts. They adapt to you,' Renganathan explained. AI girlfriend experiences Several platforms offering AI girlfriend experiences have gained global popularity. These include Replika, known for its conversational AI that provides emotional companionship, and which enables interactions with a range of AI personas, including virtual partners. 'Some platforms allow explicit content and adult-themed conversations, while others, like Replika and have implemented strict guidelines to prohibit NSFW (not safe for work) interactions, focusing on safe and respectful communication,' said Hassellöf. He identified several reasons behind the rising appeal of AI girlfriend apps. AI companions help reduce feelings of loneliness and social isolation; users can tailor their virtual partners to reflect their preferences, enhancing emotional engagement; and advances in natural language processing and machine learning make these interactions more realistic and compelling. Hassellöf also pointed to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and evolving relationship norms, which have driven people to explore alternative forms of connection, including AI-based relationships. Psychological impact While AI companions may offer support, mental health experts warn of potential consequences — especially in romantic relationships. Dr Nidhi Kumar, specialist psychiatrist at Aster Clinic, said that while AI partners can help lonely individuals by offering emotional support and helping them practice social skills, the negatives should not be overlooked. 'People may begin to compare their real relationships to idealised AI interactions, leading to dissatisfaction and frustration,' Dr Kumar said. 'Over-reliance on AI can result in emotional detachment from human partners, weakening intimacy and trust.' He added that AI cannot replicate the depth of human understanding and emotional intimacy, and its presence can spark jealousy or conflict between couples — especially if one partner feels replaced or threatened. Dr Kumar offered some guidance for couples navigating this new digital landscape, advising them to communicate openly about feelings, expectations, and boundaries related to AI companions; set clear guidelines for using AI-based tools in a relationship; and prioritise human connection and emotional closeness. 'Ultimately, the impact of AI companions depends on individual circumstances and how each couple chooses to engage with these emerging technologies,' he concluded.
Globe and Mail
23-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
OpenAI's $6.5B Deal With Jony Ive Hints at a Post-iPhone AI Era
What do you get when you combine the creative brain behind the iPhone with the most potent AI company on the planet? According to Sam Altman, OpenAI's CEO, you get 'the biggest thing we've ever done.' Confident Investing Starts Here: Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter According to The Wall Street Journal, in a move that could reshape how we interact with technology, OpenAI is bringing Jony Ive, the iPhone architect, on board to take the reins on hardware and design. Ive, the legendary designer behind Apple's (AAPL) sleekest hits (iMac, iPod, iPhone, pick your favorite), will now help OpenAI leap from software into the world of real, touchable devices. And we're not just talking about another smart speaker or pair of AI glasses. Altman and Ive say they're building something entirely new—something that 'moves consumers beyond screens.' According to people close to the project, the mystery gadget won't be a phone, glasses, or another wearable. So What Are We Talking About? That's the billion-dollar question. $6.5 billion to be exact. That's how much OpenAI is spending to acquire Ive's startup, io, and its elite team of engineers, scientists, and designers. And they've got grand plans: to ship 100 million of these new 'AI companions' that will sit on your desk or slip into your pocket and quietly change how you live. It's designed to be aware of your surroundings. It will help you, guide you, and maybe even help you finish your sentences. Think Siri meets Iron Man's JARVIS, but in a form that fits in your hand, or perhaps just blends into your day. Altman calls it a 'third device,' something you'd place alongside your iPhone and MacBook. And no, it's not just a chatbot in a box. It's more personal, more ambient, and more magical if the buzz is correct. This isn't OpenAI's first flirtation with hardware. Altman was an early investor in Humane, the AI pin startup that fizzled out after failing to wow consumers. But this time, he's swinging for the fences with a designer who helped Apple become a $3 trillion titan. The ambition seems clear: To go toe-to-toe with Apple, Google (GOOG) (GOOGL), and whoever else wants to control the future of how humans and machines talk. Secrets as Usual Behind the scenes, production talks are already underway. The company is in stealth mode, ensuring no one can copy their secret recipe before launch. But if they pull this off, it could be the iPhone moment of the AI age. Altman even told staff that this project alone could unlock $1 trillion in value for OpenAI. It's a moonshot, but so was the iPhone in 2007. And we all know how that turned out. So buckle up. Jony Ive is back. And he's not designing smartphones anymore; he wants to design the future of AI. Although this article doesn't discuss chatbots, we're still talking about OpenAI. So, using Tipranks' Comparison Tool, we've assembled and compared some of the notable publicly traded companies that employ AI chatbots. This helps investors gain a broader perspective on each stock and the industry in general and make better-informed decisions.
Forbes
22-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Everything We Know About OpenAI's Plans For An AI ‘Companion'
Jony Ive, the famed designer who joined Steve Jobs to develop Apple's most popular products, will now curate new devices for OpenAI after his startup was acquired by Sam Altman's firm earlier this week, as he and Altman tease potentially screenless, fully aware AI-powered 'companions.' OpenAI's Sam Altman called Ive, who designed several Apple products, the 'greatest designer in the ... More world.' Altman and Ive announced OpenAI's acquisition of Ive's io in a statement Wednesday, with the deal valued at roughly $6.5 billion after OpenAI acquired 23% of io in a partnership deal in 2024. Ive won't join OpenAI's staff as part of the deal and his design firm LoveFrom will continue to operate independently, Bloomberg reported, though LoveFrom will 'take over design for all of OpenAI, including its software,' as about 55 hardware engineers, software developers and manufacturing experts join OpenAI from io. The first device by Ive and Altman is expected to debut in 2026, they told Bloomberg. Ive joined Apple in 1992 and as head of design helped create the company's most iconic products—including the iMac in 1998, the iPod in 2001, the iPhone in 2007, the iPad in 2010 and the Apple Watch. After Ive announced in 2019 he would leave the company to debut his design firm, LoveFrom, Apple CEO Tim Cook applauded his tenure, saying Ive's 'role in Apple's revival [in the 1990s]' could not be overstated. Altman told OpenAI employees Wednesday he and Ive planned to release AI 'companions,' according to a recording obtained by The Wall Street Journal. The pair signaled the device would be aware of a user's surroundings and life, could be placed in a pocket or on a desk and be featured alongside products like a MacBook Pro or iPhone, and the Journal previously reported Altman planned to create a device without a screen. Ive and Altman also indicated their device wouldn't be a new phone or something that could be worn, after earlier reports of their collaboration suggested they explored developing headphones, the 'iPhone of artificial intelligence' and other devices with cameras. They told Bloomberg their new device would allow consumers to connect with AI in 'very new ways,' as Altman suggested their first product won't 'make the smartphone go away' and be a 'totally new kind of thing.' The pair may also design new computers: Altman, who called Ive the 'greatest designer in the world,' wrote on X he was 'excited to try and create a new generation of AI-powered computers.' Apple, whose shares have declined more than 17% in 2025, advertised the release of its iPhone 16 last year with details about the company's new 'Apple Intelligence.' The company announced earlier this year it would delay the new AI features to 2026, after it disabled Apple Intelligence summaries for news apps when some users discovered the company's AI system inaccurately displayed story facts. Apple was sued in March by consumers alleging the company falsely advertised its AI features, with 'a clear and reasonable consumer expectation' that AI would be available at the iPhone's release, according to a filing in the U.S. District Court in San Jose (Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Forbes). Ive has reportedly expressed interest in developing an AI device for years, telling Bloomberg early AI devices like the Human Ai Pin are 'very poor products.' Ive co-founded io in September 2023, as it 'became clear that our ambitions to develop, engineer and manufacture a new family of products demanded an entirely new company,' Ive and Altman wrote. Ive reportedly planned to build and sell an AI device with io using OpenAI's technology before Altman pushed for their companies to combine. OpenAI's talks to acquire io were first reported in March. The companies were said to be developing a device that would include technology from the movie 'Her,' a 2013 film in which the main character develops a relationship with a voice AI companion. OpenAI and io agreed to a partnership last year that involved OpenAI acquiring a 23% stake in the company, according to Bloomberg. The acquisition is the latest by OpenAI in the company's apparent push to release physical devices, following the release of its popular AI chatbot ChatGPT in 2022, after the company hired the former head of Meta's augmented reality glasses project in November. That same month, OpenAI reportedly invested in the robot startup Physical Intelligence.
Forbes
22-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Here's Why iPhone Designer Jony Ive's Move To OpenAI Matters For Apple
Jony Ive, Apple's former head of design, will take over design at OpenAI after the Sam Altman-led company acquired Ive's hardware startup in a deal valued at $6.5 billion, with the new pairing expected to unveil a product within the next year as a potential competitor to Ive's former employer. Altman and Ive announced OpenAI's acquisition of Ive's io in a statement Wednesday, noting Ive, including his design firm LoveFrom, 'quietly began collaborating' with OpenAI in 2023, with discussions at the time over releasing headphones and other devices with cameras, people familiar with the talks told the Wall Street Journal. Ive won't join OpenAI's staff as part of the deal and his LoveFrom firm will continue to operate independently, Bloomberg reported, though Ive's design firm will 'take over design for all of OpenAI, including its software,' as about 55 hardware engineers, software developers and manufacturing experts join OpenAI from io. OpenAI entered talks with SoftBank and Ive in a potential $1 billion deal to produce the 'iPhone of artificial intelligence' in 2023, the Financial Times reported, as Altman and Ive discussed products that would give consumers a 'more natural and intuitive user experience for interacting with AI.' Altman told OpenAI employees Wednesday he and Ive plan to release AI 'companions' that would be aware of a user's surroundings and life, could be placed in a pocket or on a desk and be the third device used alongside products like a MacBook Pro or iPhone, according to a recording obtained by the Journal. Ive—who called early AI devices like the Human Ai Pin 'very poor products'—and Altman told Bloomberg their new device would allow consumers to connect with AI in 'very new ways,' as Altman suggested their first product won't 'make the smartphone go away' and be a 'totally new kind of thing.' The pair may also design new computers: Altman, who called Ive the 'greatest designer in the world,' wrote on X he was 'excited to try and create a new generation of AI-powered computers.' Apple, whose shares have declined more than 17% in 2025, advertised the release of its iPhone 16 last year with details about the company's new 'Apple Intelligence.' The company announced earlier this year it would delay the new AI features to 2026, after it disabled Apple Intelligence summaries for news apps when some users discovered the company's AI system inaccurately displayed story facts. Apple was sued in March by consumers alleging the company falsely advertised its AI features, with 'a clear and reasonable consumer expectation' that AI would be available at the iPhone's release, according to a filing in the U.S. District Court in San Jose (Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Forbes). Ive has reportedly expressed interest in developing an AI device for years, telling Bloomberg early AI devices like the Human Ai Pin are 'very poor products.' Ive co-founded io in September 2023, as it 'became clear that our ambitions to develop, engineer and manufacture a new family of products demanded an entirely new company,' Ive and Altman wrote. The first device by Ive and Altman is expected to debut in 2026, they told Bloomberg. Ive, who previously worked for a London-based design firm, joined Apple in 1992 and was later tapped as Apple's head of design. Ive is credited with designing several Apple products, including the company's iMac in 1998, the iPod in 2001, the iPhone in 2007, the iPad in 2010 and the Apple Watch. He also designed Apple's 175-acre campus, Apple Park, which opened in Cupertino, California, in 2017. After Ive announced in 2019 he would leave the company to debut his design firm, LoveFrom, Apple CEO Tim Cook applauded Ive for his tenure at the company and said Ive's 'role in Apple's revival [in the 1990s] cannot be overstated.' OpenAI's talks to acquire io were first reported in March. The companies were said to be developing a device that would include technology from the movie 'Her,' a 2013 film in which the main character develops a relationship with a voice AI companion. OpenAI and io agreed to a partnership last year that involved OpenAI acquiring a 23% stake in the company, according to Bloomberg. The acquisition is the latest by OpenAI in the company's apparent push to release physical devices, following the release of its popular AI chatbot ChatGPT in 2022, after the company hired the former head of Meta's augmented reality glasses project in November. That same month, OpenAI reportedly invested in the robot startup Physical Intelligence.
Wall Street Journal
22-05-2025
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
What Sam Altman Told OpenAI About the Secret Device He's Making With Jony Ive
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman gave his staff a preview Wednesday of the devices he is developing to build with former Apple AAPL -2.31%decrease; red down pointing triangle designer Jony Ive, laying out plans to ship 100 million AI 'companions' that he hopes will become a part of everyday life. Altman told employees that they had 'the chance to do the biggest thing we've ever done as a company here,' he said after announcing OpenAI's plans to purchase Ive's startup, named io, and give him an expansive creative and design role. He suggested the $6.5 billion acquisition has the potential to add $1 trillion in value to OpenAI, according to a recording reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.
