How AI companions can help solve loneliness with Replika’s Eugenia Kuyda | E1758 This Week in Startups

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Today’s show:

Replika Co-Founder and CEO Eugenia Kuyda breaks down her startup’s origin story and purpose (1:43), the relationships users have with its AI chatbot (10:21), the potential of AI therapists, Replika’s new chatbot Blush, and more! (35:10)

Follow Eugenia: https://twitter.com/ekuyda

Check Out Replika: https://replika.ai/

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Time stamps:

(0:00) Eugenia joins Jason

(1:43) Replika’s origin story

(8:54) Crowdbotics - Get a free scoping session for your next big app idea at crowdbotics.com/twist

(10:21) Replika’s purpose and their current user base

(16:21) Relationships within the app

(20:25) Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub - Apply in 5 minutes for six figures in discounts at http://aka.ms/thisweekinstartups

(21:58) Creating happiness with AI

(26:26) Avoiding addiction

(29:25) Demographics within the AI field

(33:42) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://openphone.com/twist

(35:10) Crafting LLMs to envoke thought-provoking questions and AI therapy

(49:53) Replika's new AI chatbot, Blush

(1:01:05) The loneliness crisis and specific cases for using these AIs

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