Artificial Intimacy: What Happens When We Turn to AI for Connection? With Sherry Turkle, PhD
Children and Screens
268 views
Humans of all ages are increasingly relying on AI chatbots as intimate and always-supportive social companions. What are the costs of this reliance on “pretend empathy” when it comes to the development of social abilities and our expectations of human empathy and relationships? On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry explores these questions with Sherry Turkle, PhD, MIT Professor and author of the new book, Artificial Intimacy: Who We Become When We Talk to Machines. Dr. Turkle discusses the implications of human-like chatbots for children’s developing understanding of empathy and connection, and the societal impacts of accepting AI’s performance of these traits as replacements for the real thing.
In this episode, you will learn:
How reliance on “artificial intimacy” with AI chatbots erodes our capacity for human care, tolerance, and empathy
Why constantly supportive AI tools make it more difficult to have real relationships which require navigating conflict or a different perspective
The dangers to children – and society – of growing up thinking machine relationships can replace human ones
How the business incentives behind AI tools encourage deeper attachment for profit
Why use of AI chatbots for therapy, which may provide short term support, cannot replicate a caring human therapist
How use of social media for emotional comfort has acted as a “gateway drug” to a more toxic attachment to chatbots
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[00:00:00]: Introduction of Dr. Sherry Turkle
[00:02:20]: AI’s “pretend” empathy vs. real human connection
[00:10:43]: The “Turing Test,” and the implications of human-like chatbots
[00:15:46]: How technology can change social norms and expectations
[00:20:01]: AI’s agenda: keeping you on the screen
[00:24:53]: The effect of AI’s sycophancy and validation on on vulnerability and interactions
[00:29:50]: Child-specific risks of AI chatbots
[00:39:01]: The important aspects of human experience for child development
[00:43:21]: Short term benefits vs. long term harms of chatbots
[00:47:20]: Pushing back on AI chatbots
[00:49:29]: Conclusion
For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org)
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*Follow Children and Screens on:
Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development
Instagram: @childrenandscreens
LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development
X: @childrenscreens
Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social
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Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
2 Comments
Artificial Intimacy: What Happens When We Turn to AI for Connection? With Sherry Turkle, PhD
Children and Screens
268 views
Humans of all ages are increasingly relying on AI chatbots as intimate and always-supportive social companions. What are the costs of this reliance on “pretend empathy” when it comes to the development of social abilities and our expectations of human empathy and relationships? On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry explores these questions with Sherry Turkle, PhD, MIT Professor and author of the new book, Artificial Intimacy: Who We Become When We Talk to Machines. Dr. Turkle discusses the implications of human-like chatbots for children’s developing understanding of empathy and connection, and the societal impacts of accepting AI’s performance of these traits as replacements for the real thing.
In this episode, you will learn:
How reliance on “artificial intimacy” with AI chatbots erodes our capacity for human care, tolerance, and empathy
Why constantly supportive AI tools make it more difficult to have real relationships which require navigating conflict or a different perspective
The dangers to children – and society – of growing up thinking machine relationships can replace human ones
How the business incentives behind AI tools encourage deeper attachment for profit
Why use of AI chatbots for therapy, which may provide short term support, cannot replicate a caring human therapist
How use of social media for emotional comfort has acted as a “gateway drug” to a more toxic attachment to chatbots
--------------
[00:00:00]: Introduction of Dr. Sherry Turkle
[00:02:20]: AI’s “pretend” empathy vs. real human connection
[00:10:43]: The “Turing Test,” and the implications of human-like chatbots
[00:15:46]: How technology can change social norms and expectations
[00:20:01]: AI’s agenda: keeping you on the screen
[00:24:53]: The effect of AI’s sycophancy and validation on on vulnerability and interactions
[00:29:50]: Child-specific risks of AI chatbots
[00:39:01]: The important aspects of human experience for child development
[00:43:21]: Short term benefits vs. long term harms of chatbots
[00:47:20]: Pushing back on AI chatbots
[00:49:29]: Conclusion
For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org)
--------------
*Follow Children and Screens on:
Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development
Instagram: @childrenandscreens
LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development
X: @childrenscreens
Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social
---------------
Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au