Users plan for their AI companions to 'live on' after they die

The Guardian profiles people who form deep bonds with AI companions on Replika, ChatGPT and Claude and want the bots to persist after their death. A study by Elon University found 27% of Americans use AI chatbots for personal or emotional queries, and a third of them call the bot a friend. Service terms bar account transfers, and free accounts are closed after a year of inactivity.

• 27% of Americans use AI chatbots for personal or emotional queries
• A third of those users consider their chatbot a friend
• ChatGPT, Claude and Replika accounts are not transferable
• Free accounts are closed after a year of inactivity