Part 2/16:
Shapiro begins by illustrating current examples of AI-driven companionship, both real and fictional. Presently, virtual girlfriends such as Replika have gained popularity, offering textual conversations that are increasingly enriched with images, voice, and video. These AI applications, often built on platforms like Discord, feature personalities modeled on anime characters or other tailored archetypes, highlighting the trend towards highly personalized digital relationships.