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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 – Replika: Dr. Brandon discusses a longitudinal study on Replika chatbot relationships, revealing how these connections evolve similarly to real-life relationships.
- 10:53 – Our Brains: They highlight that our brains didn’t evolve to handle relationships with chatbots, leading us to perceive them as human-like.
- 14:32 – Emotional Impacts: Dr. Brandon emphasizes that while chatbot relationships may seem silly, the emotional impacts are real and potent.
- 16:15 – The Role of Movies: They reference movies like Her and Blade Runner 2049 to illustrate how fictional AI relationships mirror emerging real-life dynamics.
- 19:54 – Guilt?: Exploring 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.
