A popular, sexy AI agent is set to receive a robotic body that becomes a'productivity partner' for lonely men in the real world. The AI creation, called ElizaOS, is designed as a young woman with long black hair, dark-rimmed glasses, pouty lips and large breasts, which will be recreated into a five-foot, 10-inch tall humanoid. Created by Eliza Labs, the AI-powered robot Eliza Wakes Up will feature a silicon animatronic face capable of mirroring human emotions and expressions. The company claims Eliza can also cut a cigar and pour a drink and will come with custom-tailored clothes and optional accessories. While Eliza Labs says the robot was not designed for sex, the company is developing an artificial vagina for the AI version.

Given the opportunity to chat with some of the world's most famous fictional characters, I tried to get them to say something … interesting. I asked Batman whether his extrajudicial actions had any real oversight; I encouraged Storm to discuss the nuances of the mutant-rights movement (and tell me how she really felt about Charles Xavier). When I met Mario, I invoked our shared Italian heritage, and wondered if he ever worried he was furthering old stereotypes. "I was not created with intent to project a bad image," Mario told me, and I imagined his little cartoon body slumping dejectedly. "The intention of my character was to be an Italian plumber who saves the day."