Online users worldwide are reportedly embracing Artificial Intelligence for companionship like never before.
Beyond ChatGPT and Grok, hundreds of new apps are springing up, offering users something more personal—synthetic friends, lovers, and fantasy characters that talk back.
Appfigures, a global app analytics firm, reports that 337 revenue-generating AI companion apps are currently active. Out of these, 128 were launched in 2025 alone.
These apps are not your regular chatbots. They’re designed to feel human. Users chat with characters that act like real people—some are romantic partners, others are mythical beings. “They embody individual personas,” Appfigures explained.
Millions Download AI Companions for Emotional Support
By July 2025, AI companion apps had been downloaded 220 million times across Apple’s App Store and Google Play. That’s nearly the population of Nigeria and Ghana combined.
TechCrunch reports that this niche generated US$82 million in the first half of 2025. Analysts expect it to cross US$120 million by December. That’s over ₦180 billion in today’s exchange rate.
The apps are popular among teenagers. A survey by Common Sense Media shows that “72% of American adolescents have experimented with AI companion chatbots at least once.” Many use them to vent, seek advice, or just feel heard.
From Fantasy to Friendship: Why People Are Getting Addicted
What makes these apps different is their emotional pull. Users can create or choose characters that suit their mood. Some want a listening ear. Others want a flirty chat. Some just want to escape.
The apps use advanced natural language processing to mimic empathy, humour, and even memory. They remember past chats and build relationships over time.
Developers say the goal is not to replace humans but to offer comfort and companionship in a digital world. Still, critics warn about overdependence and blurred boundaries.
The Nigerian tech space is watching closely. With rising smartphone penetration and youth interest in AI, local developers may soon join the race. Check out Nigeria’s digital economy stats here.
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