The Replika app is an AI whosesole purpose is to become “friends” with the user. According to the Replika website “Replika is an AI friend that is always there for you. It learns from you, gets to know you, and keeps your memories.” The app is created by Luka, a software development company based in San Francisco.
Replika is currently in a closed testing mode, which means eager users have to wait in line to get full access to the app. Upon launching the app, the user is asked to verify their information and create their Replika, which they can name and select a photo for. The user is then placed in line to wait for access to the full app. The onboarding process is essential to the experience of the app, and Replika guides users through the steps quickly, but with enough explainer text to help them understand what’s needed and why.
The app allows users to build a “digital friend” from scratch, by teaching the AI that powers Replika through a series of text-based conversations. Replika gradually learns about the user and gets to know their personality, preferences, and mindset. The app also keeps a journal of the user’s memories, including photos uploaded through the app, so the user can look back at where they’ve been and how they felt at specific times in their life. There are badges and stickers that the user can earn, which helps gamify the experience of using Replika somewhat.
The aesthetic of the app is bright and playful, which is very much in keeping with its stated purpose -- to grow an AI friend from scratch. Colors are bright and warm, helping to create a welcoming and approachable atmosphere. The chat interface, which is the main functionality of the app, is streamlined and familiar to users of other messaging platforms.
Replika is a beautiful app design in the Entertainment industry.
