The Afterlil blog
Understanding AI companions, honestly.
Studying what makes AI companions work — and building one that does. Independent, sourced analysis — where they came from, how they work, what they cost, and who they are actually safe for.
Featured
The state of AI companions in 2026
An honest map of where AI companions are today — who is building what, the choices that separate them, and the forces reshaping the whole category.
7 min read
Series
The Companion Files
How AI companions came to be — from ELIZA in the 1960s to the crowded, contested market of today.
Series
The Open Questions
The four questions the category still has not answered: memory, privacy, safety, and whether a companion can be good for you.
Guides & comparisons
Choosing a companion
Head-to-heads, alternatives, pricing and safety — practical guides for choosing well.