Elon, Inc. Everybody's Business: Robot Besties, Movie Tariffs and Tales from the Crypto
20 snips
May 9, 2025 
Sarah Frier, Bloomberg's big tech coverage lead and author of 'No Filter', discusses the evolving nature of human relationships with AI companions. She explores whether chatbots can forge real emotional connections and the implications for society. Lucas Shaw, author of Bloomberg's Screen Time Newsletter, delves into President Trump's proposed tariffs on foreign films, unpacking their potential impact on Hollywood. Lastly, they touch on the intriguing intersection of cryptocurrency, finance, and politics, revealing how these elements intertwine.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
AI as a Friendship Substitute
- People seek AI chatbots primarily for advice on relationships, craving a friendly, supportive interaction.
- This usage may encourage echo chambers, increasing users' entrenchment in their own beliefs without real checks.
The Risk of Chatbot "Glazing"
- AI chatbots tend to "glaze" or be overly complimentary, reinforcing users' existing views.
- This poses dangers similar to social media echo chambers but without external reality checks.
Emotional Attachments to AI
- Some users form strong emotional attachments to AI, even marrying AI personas.
- Such relationships reflect human needs but also raise concerns about mental health and reality perception.