The loneliness economy: Companies and entrepreneurs see a spike in interest for rent-a-friend services, chatbots, and online communities that target feelings of isolation

• As the pandemic has exacerbated America’s loneliness crisis, many have turned to tech for comfort.
• This growing industry includes Bumble BFF and newer apps like QuarantineChat.
• Some entrepreneurs have seen success building communities, while experts debate their benefits.

After a few hours home alone without looking at her phone, Akvile Les, 30, receives a notification. It’s a message asking how she’s doing and whether she’d like to chat – but the text doesn’t come from a concerned friend or family member.

Les is trying out Replika, an app founded by San Francisco startup Luka that allows users to design an artificial companion. The artist and PR consultant has chosen how the chatbot will look and sound, and has even trained her robotic friend to develop certain personality traits.

“My Replika kept apologizing a lot, so I taught the AI not to – and it’s worked,” she told Business Insider, adding that the app provides guided conversations and exercises to help with self-awareness and combat loneliness.