Are we close to AI being functional as a "friend"? (e.g. for lonely elderly people or in video games)

Hi! I don't know much about the current development of AI outside of ChatGPT, but I've always been excited about the idea of it being used in a social regard. Selfishly, I'm waiting for a point when we could put on our VR headsets and enter a video game where you can talk to characters that can actually "think" and develop unique personalities based on interactions with you.

In a less selfish capacity, I know it's been brought up as …

artificial chatgpt current development elderly functional games people regard social video video games waiting