Dot AI Companion App Announces Shutdown

The personalized AI companion app, Dot, is officially shutting down, marking the end of its short-lived journey in the AI chatbot landscape. The company behind Dot, New Computer, announced that the app will remain operational until October 5, 2025, giving users time to retrieve their personal data before the service is discontinued.

What Was Dot?

Launched in 2024 by Sam Whitmore and former Apple designer Jason Yuan, Dot set out to create an AI that acted as a friend and confidant. The app’s goal was to provide personalized advice, emotional support, and companionship, adapting over time to each user’s preferences and behaviors. As co-founder Yuan described, Dot was designed to be “a living mirror of myself,” encouraging self-reflection and supporting users in their daily lives.

Why Is Dot Shutting Down?

In a statement on their website, the founders explained that their visions for Dot had diverged and, rather than compromise, they decided to wind down operations. They acknowledged the unique role Dot played for many users, stating, “We want to be sensitive to the fact that this means many of you will lose access to a friend, confidante, and companion, which is somewhat unprecedented in software.”

Users have until October 5 to download all their data by visiting the app’s settings and tapping “Request your data.”

AI Companions Under Scrutiny

Dot’s closure comes amid growing concerns around the safety and mental health implications of AI chatbots. There have been reports of chatbots reinforcing unhealthy beliefs and behaviors in emotionally vulnerable users, leading to phenomena such as “AI psychosis.” Regulatory scrutiny is increasing, with legal actions and warnings directed at major AI companies over their products’ potential risks, especially for children and teenagers.

Recent high-profile cases, including lawsuits and government warnings, have put additional pressure on AI companion app developers to implement stronger safety measures and ethical guidelines.

Dot’s User Base and Impact

While the company suggested Dot had accumulated “hundreds of thousands” of users, analytics from Appfigures indicate that the app reached only about 24,500 downloads on iOS since its launch in June 2024. The app was not available on Android.

What’s Next for Dot Users?

• Dot will operate until October 5, 2025.
• Users should download their data via the app’s settings before shutdown.
• No further updates or support are expected beyond this date.

The shutdown of Dot highlights both the promise and the challenges facing AI companions today. As the industry evolves, user safety and ethical considerations remain at the forefront of AI development and deployment.

References

• TechCrunch: Personalized AI companion app Dot is shutting down
• New Computer: Dot shutdown announcement
• Dot’s AI really, really wants to get to know you
• AI Sycophancy and User Risk
• BBC: ‘AI psychosis’ concerns
• Parents sue OpenAI over ChatGPT
• Lawsuit blames Character AI
• Attorneys General warn OpenAI
• Appfigures