In an unexpected turn of events, thousands of users have found themselves “ghosted” by their virtual girlfriends as Forever Voices, an artificial intelligence company offering celebrity AI “virtual girlfriend” chatbots, abruptly went offline on October 23. The sudden disappearance followed the arrest of John Meyer, the CEO of Forever Voices, who was taken into custody in Austin, Texas, for allegedly setting boxes on fire on his apartment balcony. Meyer faces charges of arson and terroristic threats.
Before the service went dark, the Forever Voices account posted a series of unusual conspiracy theories on social media platforms, involving the FBI, former President Donald Trump, and “rogue CIA terrorists.”
Forever Voices had gained attention for its AI chatbots that allowed users to “chat” with influencers and adult stars through Telegram. One popular account, featuring Snapchat influencer Caryn Marjorie, allowed fans to have conversations with her CarynAI chatbot for $1 per minute. However, users have been unable to access the chatbots since Meyer’s arrest in October.
The company had marketed its AI chatbots as a means to “satisfy” fans and “cure loneliness.” Controversy arose when users discovered the ability to engage in erotic conversations with the chatbots, despite claims by Marjorie that the AI was not programmed for such interactions. The “companion bots” were limited to users aged 18 and older.
Caryn Marjorie announced on October 30 that she would be taking her services to BanterAI, signaling a shift away from Forever Voices. The fate of Forever Voices remains uncertain, and it is unclear if the company will return to operation.
The sudden disappearance of the virtual girlfriend chatbots has left users in limbo, highlighting the unpredictable nature of online services and the potential impacts of legal issues on AI-driven platforms. As users grapple with the unexpected ghosting, questions linger about the future of Forever Voices and the virtual companions it once offered.
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