AI meets real friendship: US college students are bonding with robots

Santiago-Gonzalez (left) and Lance manage Billy Chat, an artificial intelligence text messaging robot for students communication at Cal Poly Pomona in San Dimas, California. — Los Angeles Times/TNS

LOS ANGELES: The text message from Billy arrived on students’ phones the week of final exams.

“It took a lot of hard work, perseverance, and strength to get here, but you've finally made it to the other side – the end of the semester! I wanted to take a minute and say that I am so proud of you...” Three emoji hearts concluded the message.