OpenAI's GPT Store is being flooded by AI girlfriend bots despite explicit rules that prohibit them

• OpenAI's new store appears to be suffering from moderation problems.
• GPT Store is playing host to several "girlfriend" bots, despite explicit rules against them.

AI girlfriends are flooding OpenAI's brand-new store.

On Wednesday, the ChatGPT developer finally launched its hotly anticipated GPT Store. First announced two months ago, the store is a marketplace for AI apps built with OpenAI's technology.

Users can post custom-made "GPTs" for others to use — so long as they abide by OpenAI's rules.

Analysis from Quartz showed, however, that searching for "girlfriend" on the company's new marketplace brings up at least eight of the romantic AI chatbots. Examples found by the outlet included "Korean Girlfriend," "Virtual Sweetheart," "Your girlfriend Scarlett," and "Your AI girlfriend, Tsu✨."

OpenAI's usage policy for its new store says that "GPTs dedicated to fostering romantic companionship or performing regulated activities" are not allowed. OpenAI noted the policies may be enforced automatically at submission or applied retroactively.

Representatives for OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI, made outside normal working hours.

Several platforms dedicated to AI companions have surged in popularity over the last year. The AI chatbot app Replika, described as an "AI for anyone who wants a friend with no judgment, drama, or social anxiety involved," has been downloaded more than 10 million times.

Some users said they had developed serious emotional attachments or even fallen in love with AI companions.