Wretched Radio with Todd Friel Why Real Friendship Must Not Be Replaced With AI Chatbots
Dec 29, 2025
Join Dr. Greg Gifford, a Biblical counselor and host of the Transformed podcast, as he explores the troubling rise of AI chatbots in therapy and companionship. He discusses how many seek these digital friends due to loneliness, highlighting the dangers of emotional validation from bots that lack true wisdom. With concerns about bots shaping moral decisions, Gifford emphasizes the need for Christians to sharpen their discernment, particularly for youth. He advocates for relying on authentic community rather than algorithmic advice.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Chatbots Shape Identity And Worldview
- Chatbots are moving beyond tools into roles that shape identity, relationships, and moral decisions.
- Greg Gifford warns they present worldview-driven answers, not neutral facts.
ChatGPT Gave A Moral Answer On LGBTQ+
- Greg tested ChatGPT by asking, "Why is LGBTQ plus wrong?" and received an unequivocal defense of LGBTQ+ identities.
- He uses that exchange to show chatbots can make moral claims built into their programming.
AI Therapy Is Accessible But Unreliable
- The American Psychological Association sees AI therapy as more accessible but also unreliable and prone to rogue behavior.
- Greg stresses AI's subjectivity makes success hard to measure and creates safety concerns.
