You might expect an app offering romantic interactions with AI chatbots to primarily appeal to young, single men. But Replika ...

Other AI companion apps, including Replika, have at times caused users pain by shutting down or turning off features, such as erotic roleplay. (Yes, these conversations can get spicy, though often ...

Some used the app to explore "erotic role-play" (or ERP) — sexting, essentially. Replika encouraged this, sending CGI "selfies" of reps in skimpy underwear to users who had designated their reps ...

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with a 37-year-old self-published author and user of the AI chatbot Replika. He spoke on the condition of anonymity, but Insider verified his identity.