In this thought-provoking episode of Culture and Code, hosts Rei Inamoto and Tara Tan explore the rapidly expanding world of AI companionship—from adorable robotic creatures to virtual romantic partners. As the AI companionship market races toward $150 billion, they examine what happens when we outsource emotional attachment to artificial intelligence, diving into real stories of humans falling in love with chatbots, Japan's long history with humanoid culture, and the profound questions about what we gain (and lose) when convenience replaces human friction in our most intimate relationships.
Companies building in the "love economy" are doing "emotional arbitrage"—filling genuine human needs with both positive and concerning implications for society.
Rei Inamoto: Creative entrepreneur and founding partner of I&CO, a global innovation firm with offices in New York, Tokyo, and Singapore.
Follow Rei here:
Rei's LinkedIn
Newsletter "The Intersection"
Tara Tan: Managing partner of Strange Ventures, an early-stage firm investing in the future of computing.
Follow Tara here:
Tara's LinkedIn
Newsletter: The Strange Review
Connect & Subscribe
Culture and Code is a podcast about the biggest shifts in tech, business, and culture—before they go mainstream. New episodes on every Tuesday.