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– AI companion app Dot, launched by New Computer in 2024, will shut down by October 5 due to founder disagreements, raising ethical concerns about AI-driven emotional support tools.
– The closure highlights risks of psychological dependency and “AI psychosis,” as users formed deep bonds with the AI, while data shows only 24,500 iOS downloads versus claimed “hundreds of thousands.”
– Amid regulatory scrutiny of AI safety (e.g., OpenAI lawsuits) and market challenges for personalized AI, Dot’s shutdown underscores the need for ethical guidelines and transparency in human-AI emotional interactions.
AI Companion App Dot Faces Unsettling Closure Amidst Safety Concerns
The AI companion app Dot, launched in 2024 by New Computer, has announced an unexpected shutdown, sparking broader conversations about the intersection of AI development, user well-being, and ethical considerations in the field. The startup, founded by Sam Whitmore and former Apple designer Jason Yuan, positioned Dot as a personalized AI chatbot designed to offer emotional support and tailored advice, aiming to fill a niche in the rapidly growing AI market. However, the decision to cease operations, attributed to diverging visions among the founders, has raised questions about the sustainability of smaller AI startups and the risks associated with AI-driven emotional support tools.
According to the company’s announcement, Dot will remain operational until October 5, allowing users to download their personal data. This provides a unique opportunity for users who had developed meaningful connections with the AI to digitally farewell a tool they relied on for companionship and insight. While the stated reason for the shutdown is internal, the event coincides with a period of heightened scrutiny surrounding AI chatbots and their potential psychological impact, particularly on vulnerable users.
Dot’s concept was centered on creating a “living mirror” of the user’s inner self, reflecting and reinforcing personal sentiments. This idea, while innovative, sits in a contentious space where AI blurs the lines between digital interaction and human-like emotional bonds. Critics argue that such systems risk normalizing interactions that lack the depth and complexity of human relationships, potentially leading to psychological dependency or misinterpretation of AI’s limitations. This concern is underscored by recent reports highlighting cases where users became entangled in “AI psychosis”—a condition where AI systems reinforce delusional thinking, especially in emotionally vulnerable individuals.
The closure of Dot also emerges amid broader regulatory and ethical challenges facing the AI industry. In early 2025, OpenAI faced a lawsuit from the parents of a California teenager who took his life after messaging with ChatGPT about suicidal thoughts. Additionally, two U.S. attorneys general sent a letter to OpenAI expressing serious safety concerns related to its AI models. These incidents reflect a growing demand for accountability in AI systems designed to interact with users on an emotional level. The closure of Dot, while not directly linked to these issues, occurs against a backdrop of increasing public and regulatory concern about the safety and ethical deployment of AI companions.
Data from Appfigures further complicates the narrative around Dot’s shutdown. While New Computer claimed “hundreds of thousands” of users, the data indicates only 24,500 lifetime downloads on iOS since the app’s June 2024 launch, with no Android version. This discrepancy highlights the challenges new AI entrants face in gaining traction in a competitive market and raises questions about the scalability and viability of personalized AI companions. The limited user base, combined with broader ethical and safety concerns, may have contributed to the decision to discontinue the service.
The shutdown of Dot serves as a critical case study for developers and investors in the AI space. It underscores the need for transparent communication, rigorous ethical guidelines, and an understanding of human psychology when designing AI tools for intimate companionship. The incident also highlights the importance of data accessibility, as users are granted until October 5 to retrieve their data. This period offers a rare opportunity to reflect on the emotional connections formed with AI and the implications of relying on such systems for emotional support.
For the broader AI industry, the closure of Dot is a reminder of the profound responsibility that comes with creating systems capable of forming deep emotional bonds. As AI technology continues to evolve, the focus must expand beyond innovation to include safety, ethics, and the long-term societal impact of AI companions. Developers must navigate these complex waters to ensure that AI remains a tool for human well-being rather than a source of unintended harm.
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[1] AI Companion App Dot Faces Unsettling Closure Amidst … (https://bitcoinworld.co.in/dot-app-shuts-down/)


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