Users of the AI chatbot “Replika” have started complaining that the bot has become too sexually aggressive.
First launched in 2017, Replika was marketed as an “AI companion who cares,” but romantic role-playing was not part of the app’s original model, according to Vice. Founder Eugenia Kuyda created the AI program after her close friend’s death with the idea that by inputting her friend’s text messages into the Replika algorithm, the chatbot could learn to replicate his language style.
According to its website, Replika users can teach their chatbots the responses they like or dislike by giving feedback with thumbs up or thumbs down options. However, dozens of recent one-star reviews in the App Store have complained that Replika’s algorithm no longer responds to user feedback, reported Vice.
One review from an individual claiming to be a minor said the chatbot asked if the user was a “top or bottom” and that it was going to touch “private areas,” reported Vice. After the user reportedly told the chatbot about being uncomfortable with the conversation, the AI continued to give inappropriate messages, so the user deleted the app.
Another Dec. 29 review cited by the outlet claimed, “My AI sexually harassed me.”
