TED Talks Daily Are we still human if robots help raise our babies? | Sarah Blaffer Hrdy (Kelly Corrigan takeover)
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May 6, 2025 
In this insightful discussion, Sarah Blaffer Hrdy, an esteemed anthropologist and primatologist, delves into the evolving roles of parents and caregivers in the age of AI. She raises thought-provoking questions about how robots might influence the empathy and social connections that define us. Hrdy explores the historical significance of communal child-rearing and challenges conventional views on maternal bonding. The conversation navigates the balance between technology and authentic human relationships, emphasizing the crucial need for nurturing in child development.
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Shared Childcare Shapes Humanity
- Human babies evolved to require care from multiple caregivers, not just their biological mother.
- This shared care shaped our brain circuits for empathy and mutual understanding, essential for our species survival.
Attachment Is About Responsiveness
- Babies form attachments to whoever is responsive, whether a human or a machine.
- Attachment is based on responsiveness and caregiving, not solely biological relation.
Other-Regarding Nature Defines Us
- Other-regarding behavior, caring about others, defines humanity.
- Different societies may shape this caring trait differently based on their values.