Are AI companions actually helpful, or just a novelty?

I have been noticing more people talk about AI companions recently, not just as simple chatbots but as something they interact with regularly for comfort, encouragement, or company. Some apps, like Crushh.ai, are starting to add features such as voice calls, more visual interactions, and longer term memory, which makes the experience feel more like a steady presence than just typing messages into a bot. I do not really see this as replacing real human relationships, but more as a way to fill emotional gaps when someone feels lonely, overwhelmed, or just wants a space to talk without being judged. Do you think this kind of AI is helpful, harmless, or starting to cross a line? Genuinely curious how people here see it. For context, this is the kind of app I mean: https://www.crushh.ai/