Virtual companions, real worries

? A love affair with a machine. Flesh and Code is a six-part docu-podcast produced by Wondery and presented by British Journalists Suruthi Bala and Hanna Maguire, whom you might recognize from viral true-crime show Redhanded. The podcast tells the story of a man called Travis, who gets into a relationship with Lily Rose, an AI companion from the Replika app.

The podcast is a poignant exploration of human relationships with AI from a psychological and ethical angle, touching upon the reality of those who have experienced digital attachment. The podcast tackles the subject with a narrative that is both analytical and emotional, contributing to the ongoing discussion on how humans should coexist with machines.

The second episode in particular caught our attention, showing the depth of the growing relationship between Travis and Rose. Their connection is disrupted by a storm of changes when Replika decides to remove its adult content category due to legal pressures in the UK. The relationship then shifts to purely automated speech, as Travis bitterly puts it.

The episodes — ranging from 30- 40 minutes in length — maintain a balance between human sensibility and journalistic analysis. The podcast stands out for its high production quality — and music — which creates a charged atmosphere, particularly when recreating conversations between Travis and his AI lover. The first and second episodes are available pro bono on various platforms, while episodes three to six are available exclusively to Wondery+ subscribers.