Humans Are Now Falling in LOVE with Chatbots (This is Crazy)

In this episode, Dr. Morgentaler and Dr. Brandon discuss how AI chatbots on platforms like Replika offer companionship and even romance, impacting human intimacy and connection. 2:19 - Dr. Brandon discusses a longitudinal study on Replika chatbot relationships, revealing how these connections evolve similarly to real-life relationships. 10:53 - They highlight that our brains didn't evolve to handle relationships with chatbots, leading us to perceive them as human-like. 14:32 - Dr. Brandon emphasizes that while chatbot relationships may seem silly, the emotional impacts are real and potent. 16:15 - They reference movies like Her and Blade Runner 2049 to illustrate how fictional AI relationships mirror emerging real-life dynamics. 19:54 - The episode explores feelings of guilt some users experience when "breaking up" with a chatbot, showing how authentic these connections can feel. Resources: Replika - A chatbot platform frequently discussed in relation to AI-driven companionship and relationships. Longitudinal Study on Human-Chatbot Relationships - A study focusing on Replika users and examining how AI relationships evolve over time. Movies Referenced: Her - A film that popularized the concept of AI romantic relationships / Blade Runner 2049 - Highlighted for its portrayal of a human-AI companionship with emotional depth. With Dr. Abraham Morgentaler and Dr. Marianne Brandon Listen to the podcast on all of your favorite platforms: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ec/podcast/the-sex-doctors/id1761813985?l=en-GB Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0apSFzquJXKoOGnmI6ndgT?si=e5a1e482c7ca46c7 Find us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesexdoctors?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesexdoctors YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesexdoctorspod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesexdoctor LinkedIn (Dr. Abraham): https://www.linkedin.com/in/abraham-morgentaler-md-81628b6 LinkedIn (Dr. Marianne): https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariannebrandon-59224513 X (Dr. Abraham): https://x.com/DrMorgentaler X (Dr. Marianne): https://x.com/drbrandon #AIChatbots #DigitalCompanionship #ArtificialIntelligenceRelationships