The AI Takeover is Happening for Pets, Too

Furby, Tamagotchi, Webkinz—oh my! Digital pets were all the rage in the 1990s and early 2000s, but didn’t last much longer. At least, not until now. Furbies are an internet meme, Tamagotchi has an entire metaverse now, and hundreds of mobile apps let you take care of a virtual creature on your phone.  

The digital pet is officially back, and it’s here to end the reign of real-life pets… okay, maybe that’s a bit extreme, but their popularity is growing for very real reasons.  

Technology has advanced exponentially in the last 30 years, and the rise of AI has made this virtual pet takeover more real than ever. People are already beginning to replace romantic relationships with AI. For example, EVA AI, a platform that allows people to chat with an AI partner, surveyed 2,000 men and found that, if it were legal, 80% of them would marry their AI girlfriends. Shockingly, 78% said they’d use AI to replicate their ex-partners, and 75% said they’d consider using AI to create a more refined version of their current partner. We’re already seeing people opting for AI relationships over real ones, so what’s stopping AI from replacing our pets?  

Virtual Pets, Real Reasons  

As ridiculous (and terrifying) as this sounds, there are some interesting reasons why virtual pets are an appealing alternative to the real thing. In many living arrangements, space is limited. We’re already seeing a rise in cat ownership because they’re more comfortable in small apartments and homes, but most digital pets fit in the palm of your hand. Also, virtual pets don’t poop, get hungry or thirsty, or die, making them easier to care for than dogs or cats.  

On a more serious note, pet care has become increasingly expensive over the last several years. Over 50% of pet parents have skipped out on vet care over the past year, according to the State of Pet Care Study conducted by PetSmart Charities and Gallup, and a third of pet parents know someone whose pet has passed away because they were unable to afford veterinary care. Many pet owners are now having to ask themselves whether they can provide a real pet with the quality of life it deserves, and virtual pets just don’t have the same needs. 

The United States isn’t seeing many digital pets replacing real ones, but in places like India, virtual companion animals are gaining traction. People are opting for smartphone apps or Tamagotchis to save time, money, and space, and using their virtual pets to combat loneliness. This raises some interesting questions for the pet industry.  

Branded Products for Robotic Pets 

Only time will tell if virtual pets stick around for more than a few years, or if they start replacing pets on a larger scale, but it’s clear that the concept of AI-powered companionship isn’t going away. When do we start making products for digital pets? When do we start creating our own digital pets to sell to consumers? In the not-so-distant future, will you be able to feed your digital pet brand-name Tamagotchi food? We don’t know where this trend will go, or how long it will take to get there, but it’s important to be prepared.  

For all the pet brands worried about an AI takeover—stay calm, but stay informed. Just because a trend doesn’t start in the industry doesn’t mean it won’t make its way over to it. Staying on top of the latest trends in other spaces can help you come out on top.  

This is where BSM Partners comes in; with our market and consumer insights experts, we can give you the knowledge and peace of mind you need to stay competitive. Partner with us, and we’ll make your brand irreplaceable.  

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About the Author

Cady Wolf is an Analyst at BSM Partners. She graduated magna cum laude with a degree in English from Brigham Young University-Idaho, and she currently lives in Rexburg, Idaho with her husband, their two cats, and pet tortoise. She loves animals and learning about how to help pet brands and pet parents alike.