Jamie F
The makers of Replika, the popular digital avatar chatbot companion app, has launched a new Tinder-style AI dating app that lets you match and chat with AI-created characters.
In the new app, Blush you chat to characters who have AI-generated profile photos as well as patter. You can crank things up to get raunchy in the chats, with AI matches able to send you erotic ‘selfies’. In the Apple Store the app has an age rating of 17+ and is flagged for “mild sexual content and nudity” plus “mature/suggestive themes”.
Blush operates similarly to most swipe-based dating apps: you register with a photo of yourself, specify your gender identity and that of people (well, AI people) you’re interested in matching with, then get chatting with the dating profiles that tickle your fancy.
While Blush is a separate app to Replika, users have said that Blush chats often seem strikingly similar to chats they’ve seen in Replika.
Blush costs $99.99 a year to use, following a three-day free trial. Some users have said that it’s incredibly easy to get chats to become erotic almost from the off, but Blush’s makers market the app as a dating education and confidence aid. Beyond chatting and going on ‘virtual dates’, in the app you can access articles about dating and relationships.
Blush says that the app was developed “in response to a growing need for spaces that enable romantic exploration, build confidence, and empower people to embrace their most authentic romantic selves.”
The company added: “Our experience with romantic relationships in Replika has provided invaluable insights into the emotional support that AI connections can offer, and how they can act as a stepping stone to improved real-life relationships. Conversations with our users inspired us to develop a distinct app tailored to the diverse requirements of romantic partnerships.”
Although it’s likely that many Blush users will be using the app purely for titillation, many Replika users are vocal online about how the app helped them deal with social and communication issues. Recently Replika removed its ‘erotic’ chat mode, before reinstating it after uproar from some users.
While many early reviews of Blush have been negative, its launch is another indicator of how big a deal AI companion apps are becoming. Online creators have begun launching paid-for AI apps, offering fans the chance to chat with an AI version of them.
Blush says that chats with the app’s AI characters “can offer a sense of companionships and a validation boost in our daily lives. Whether you’re dealing with isolation or navigating a particularly challenging emotional situation, Blush allows you to experience empowering and supportive relationships that can help you feel more connected and understood.”
