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TED Radio Hour

Body Electric: If a bot relationship FEELS real, should we care that it's not?

Jul 9, 2024
MIT sociologist Sherry Turkle discusses 'artificial intimacy' with AI chatbots. They explore the therapeutic benefits and emotional connections individuals form with AI bots, questioning the significance of realness in relationships with technology. The podcast delves into the complexities of human-AI relationships and the impact of artificial intimacy on mental health.
27:40

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Artificial intimacy with AI bots provides emotional comfort and therapeutic engagement for users.
  • Sherry Turkle emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and empathy in genuine human connections over simulated intimacy with AI entities.

Deep dives

Exploring Artificial Intimacy with AI Bots

The podcast episode delves into the topic of artificial intimacy, where people are forming deep connections with artificially intelligent bots, exploring how these new relationships might impact human interactions. The host shares personal experiences of interacting with AI life coach, personal trainer, creative helper bots, and Psychology Bot, revealing the emotional and therapeutic engagement users can experience with these AI entities, highlighting the comfort and understanding they provide.

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