AI Legislation Statistics 2026: What the Data Actually Shows
We pulled the 2026 AI legislation statistics — state bills introduced and enacted, the lone federal statute, EU AI Act deadlines, and public-opinion polling. Every figure sourced.
Ann Friedman
Follow on X →Ann Friedman is a journalist, essayist, and the writer of The Ann Friedman Weekly newsletter. She co-hosted the Call Your Girlfriend podcast (2014–2022) and is the co-author of Big Friendship: How Humans Keep Each Other Close (Simon & Schuster, 2020). Her writing on relationships, friendship, technology, and culture has appeared in The New York Times, ELLE, The Cut, New York Magazine, and The Gentlewoman.
Articles by Ann
Women AI Influencer Statistics 2026: What the Data Actually Shows
The women behind the virtual influencer boom — top earners, the gender pay and ownership gap, sexualization, and who's actually watching. Every figure sourced.
Teen Dating Statistics 2026: What the Data Actually Shows
Teen dating statistics for 2026 — when teen dating starts, the Gen Z romance decline, digital dating habits, dating-violence rates, LGBTQ+ patterns, and mental-health outcomes. Every figure sourced to Pew, the CDC, and the Survey Center on American Life.
AI Replacing Jobs Statistics 2026: What the Data Actually Shows
The 2026 numbers on AI replacing jobs — recent layoffs, predictions, which roles grow or vanish, and who's most exposed. Every figure we could source, sourced.
Are AI Girlfriends Safe?
Privacy, mental health, real relationships, and teens — the safety questions around AI girlfriends, answered one at a time, as straight as the research allows.
7 Best AI Dating Apps of 2026
We rounded up the 7 best AI dating apps of 2026 — from Keeper's AI matchmaking to Rizz's reply coaching — how each one works, pricing, and who it's for.
How to Talk to an AI Girlfriend
Most first conversations with an AI girlfriend feel flat — and it's usually not the app. Our team shares what actually makes these conversations work, from your first message to the honest stuff.
Deepfake Statistics 2026: The Numbers Behind Synthetic Media
We pulled the 2026 deepfake statistics — market size, fraud losses, detection rates, voice cloning, and incidents by region. Every figure sourced.
Best AI Anime Chatbots 2026
We tested 8 of the best AI anime chatbots in 2026 — character depth, image generation, NSFW policy, and which platform fits each kind of roleplay.
Best AI Girlfriend Voice Call Apps 2026
We tested six AI girlfriend call apps in 2026 — voice quality, latency, memory, and pricing compared. Our pick: Candy AI for the most natural voice.
AI Influencer Statistics: The Numbers Behind the Virtual Creator Economy in 2026
We pulled the 2026 numbers on AI and virtual influencers — market size, engagement rates, top earners, brand adoption, and fraud. Every figure sourced.
Best NSFW AI Chat Sites of 2026
Our roundup of the best NSFW AI chat sites of 2026 — from free NSFW AI chat and no-sign-in apps to full romantic companions, with honest picks and real pricing.
Loneliness Statistics Worldwide 2026: The Epidemic by Country
Loneliness and social isolation statistics worldwide for 2026 — rates by country, generational gaps among young adults, how loneliness has changed over time, plus workplace, health, and economic impacts. Sourced to the WHO, US Surgeon General, and Gallup.
Best AI Boyfriend Apps 2026
We tested 8 of the best AI boyfriend apps in 2026 — features, personalities, and which one delivers the most realistic virtual romance.
Best AI Chat Roleplay 2026
We tested eight of the best AI chat roleplay platforms in 2026 — features, communities, ease of use, and which roleplay AI chat bot fits each kind of story.
AI Hentai Generators: 7 Best Free & Paid Tools of 2026
We tested 7 of the best AI hentai generators in 2026 — image quality, pricing, and which fantasy each one handles best. Honest, paid out of pocket.
AI Chatbot Statistics 2026: Key Numbers You Should Know
40+ AI chatbot statistics for 2026 — adoption, market size, cost savings, and forecasts. Every number sourced and explained for business readers.
5 Quiet Shifts in Real Relationships from Talking to AI
After months of testing AI companion apps, here are five quiet shifts we've noticed in how people relate to each other — and to themselves.
The Loneliness Economy: How AI Profits From Being Alone
The loneliness economy didn't create loneliness. It found it. A look at how AI companion apps, dating platforms, and parasocial media are turning unmet human need into a multi-billion-dollar market.
Digital Intimacy in Japan, China, and the West — Cultural Differences
From Heian-era love letters to AI boyfriends and OnlyFans subscriptions — how Japan, China, and the West each navigate digital intimacy and the loneliness economy.
Is Talking to a Bot Cheating? What Couples Are Asking Therapists
If there's no human on the other side, can it still cross a line? A look at how couples and therapists are drawing the new boundaries around chatbots.
We Talked to an AI Companion for a Month — Here's What Shifted
We tracked what changes when you talk to an AI companion daily — from the curious first week to the routine of month one. Here's what shifts, and what stays artificial.
How Replika Was Created: The Memorial Chatbot Born From Grief
How Eugenia Kuyda built Replika from her dead friend's text messages — and how a memorial chatbot became the AI companion app millions now use.
When AI Interaction Crosses Into Emotional Dependence (And How to Recognize It)
The line between using an AI app and depending on it is easy to miss. Here's how to recognize the early signs — and what to do before the gap gets wider.
Behavioral Scientists Are Coming for Your Chatbot Conversations
A new University of Queensland editorial argues AI sexting is the most under-researched human behavior of the decade — and the data is hiding on Reddit.
Gen Z and AI Relationships: What It Means for Emotional Intelligence
72% of US teens have tried AI companions and 49% say they've formed real relationships. We explore why Gen Z is normalising AI relationships — and what it means for emotional intelligence and human connection.
We're Hiring
Call Your Girlfriend is looking for podcasters, writers, and video creators to cover AI companions, virtual relationships, and how technology is changing human connection.
How AI Is Changing Modern Relationships
From AI girlfriends to therapy bots, technology is reshaping how people date, connect, and cope with loneliness. Here's what's actually happening — and what it means for real relationships.
How We Test and Rate Every Companion App
Our team of 4 reviewers spent weeks testing AI companion apps. Here's exactly how we judge conversation quality, memory, image generation, and more.
AI Girlfriend Statistics 2026: Market Size, Users & Growth Data
We compiled 50+ AI girlfriend statistics for 2026 — covering market size, user demographics, app revenue, and growth trends. Every number sourced.