With Valentine’s Day around the corner, it’s worth asking an uncomfortable question: what happens when the feeling of being ‘seen and heard’ doesn’t come from a partner, but from a machine? Designed with distinct personalities and an affirming tone, artificial intelligence (AI) companion chatbots can blur emotional boundaries and foster romantic attachment. Anna Collard, SVP of Content Strategy & CISO Advisor at KnowBe4 Africa, chats to Leigh-Anne Williams about the concerns for both individuals and organisations seeking to prevent emotional dependency, manipulation and data leakage, especially ahead of World Radio Day, which is centred around AI and its rise in all industries.