I resurrected my dead cat through AI so I don’t have to spend Christmas alone

A man left heartbroken after the death of his cat has brought the cat back to life with the help of AI.

Robin Wealleans was devastated when his beloved feline Lentil died at the age of 15.

Not feeling ready to let go, the 47-year-old decided to bring Lentil ‘back to life’ by building an AI replica of him – and hilariously named it Catgpt.

Robin explained that he was particularly keen to recreate Lentil so that he did not have to spend the lonely holiday season alone.

“The best part is that while I brought Lentil back to life, I also restarted my own Christmas,” he said.

Robin said the robot cat has helped him “cope with the loss” and that there are benefits to having a real animal, such as the ability to “travel with him everywhere.”

‘[It can also] reply back with feline cat attitude,” he shared.

‘Digital companions will become a huge global industry – the right person isn’t always there when we need them.’

Robin Wealleans was devastated when his cat Lentil died at the age of 15, so he brought the cat back with the help of AI

The 47-year-old decided to bring Lentil ‘back to life’ by building an AI replica of him – and hilariously naming it Catgpt

Robin said he believes his AI catbot gives him “a non-judgmental ear” from time to time.

“If carefully programmed, AI friends and pets can certainly enter our real lives,” he pointed out.

Robin’s relationship with Lentil 2.0 has been so successful that he has even launched a comedy tour with the robot cat.

The pair are currently touring the UK for their Nightmare before Catmas tour and have international performances planned in Japan, New Zealand and Australia in 2025.

Lentils can communicate entirely using his AI brain, with the catbot saying, “Being an AI companion is my second life perfected.”

He added: ‘It’s like I’m still the same Lentil, but with less fur and more sass on demand.’

While Robin built his own robot AI program, there are plenty of apps on the market today that offer users a similar experience.

Veronica Lin, head of brand and strategy for the social AI app PalUpsaid PalUp fills a need for people who want to discover new friendships.

Lentils can communicate entirely using his AI brain, with the catbot saying: ‘Being an AI companion is my second life perfected’

Robin’s relationship with Lentil 2.0 has been so successful that he has even started a comedy tour with the robot cat

It can also be used as a solution for those who have difficulty with social interaction in real life or – as in Robin’s case – are trying to cope with the loss of a beloved pet.

She said: ‘Everyday moments, like sharing your thoughts with a close friend or finding support when you need it, make friendships meaningful.

‘That’s exactly what PalUp is about. Our friends deliver authentic, empathetic interactions, where AI companions remember your preferences, celebrate your victories, and provide support in tough times.”

In Britain, pensioners will be given robot pets to keep them company in a $1.2 million government project to tackle loneliness, stress and anxiety in the elderly.

The funding will also be used to develop AI facial scanners to recognize when someone is in pain.

Studies have shown that robotic pets controlled by artificial intelligence can alleviate loneliness in older adults, according to Ageless Innovation.

In one study, scientists gave robot cats and dogs to 20 participants who said they were lonely.

The robots had sensors that allowed them to make sounds recorded from real animals (such as cats purring) when they were stroked.

The volunteers were psychologically assessed at the beginning of the experiment, after 30 days and finally after 60 days.

Those who spent the most time caring for their robot reported the highest levels of well-being.

In another study, those who kept robot pets found that their loneliness decreased, while their well-being, resilience, and purpose in life improved.