New Delhi, Jan. 25 -- In 2024, Indrani Sen, a Mumbai-based food blogger, was distressed by the growing distance with her then 16-year-old daughter. The digital-savvy 47-year-old found the solution in Pengu-a mobile app she installed on both their phones that let them raise an artificial intelligence (AI) pet penguin together.

They spend time together taking care of the penguin, sharing schedules to feed it on time, wrapping a shawl around it when the mobile notification pops that it's cold, taking turns bathing and shopping for clothes and accessories for their virtual pet.

"I typically spend Rs.400-600 a month on the application, including a Rs.50 subscription fee to co-parent it with my daughter. But I feel it is worth it, because it ...