Artificial companions are typically intelligent cognitive 'agents', implemented in software or a physical embodiment such as a robot. This paper is a summary of a forum on Artificial Companions in Society held in October 2007.

Artificial companions (ACs) are typically intelligent cognitive 'agents', implemented in software or a physical embodiment such as a robot. They can stay with their 'owner' for long periods of time, learning to 'know' their owner's preferences, habits and wishes. An AC could enter a close relationship with its owner by chatting to, advising, informing, entertaining, comforting, assisting with tasks and otherwise supporting her or him. In doing this, the companion should make no technical demands on the user.

Companions is studying conversational software-based artificial agents that will get to know their owners over a substantial period. These could be developed to advise, comfort and carry out a wide range of functions to support diverse personal and social needs, such as to be ?artificial companions? for the elderly, helping their owners to learn, or assisting to sustain their owners? fitness and health.