At least Joi in Bladerunner 2024 was a local model the user could apparently download onto their own portable device. She also never presented an upgrade dialog requiring payment.
Cons: the e-waifus are much more manipulative and exploitative.
Giving lonely people the thing they most desperately need - conversation and understanding - is abuse now? I'd say it's the opposite; the social policies that leave those people so desperately lonely are abusive, the industry that sells them a band-aid is inadequate but positive.
How do you think these things will make money?
Check out the mobile gaming ecosystem to see where this will go. Now imagine that but exploiting deeper emotional needs. These things could really empty people’s wallets. I guess when lonely people kill themselves after they’ve been financially ruined they can’t sue.