Keynote, discussion

How does our relationship with machines and chatbots reflect our emotional needs and the future of human relationships?

We hear from a former social worker who says a chatbot saved her life when she was depressed. There is also an IT specialist who develops feelings for an AI character and a young woman who overcomes her eating disorder through conversations with an AI. Millions of people worldwide now confide their deepest fears, hopes and secrets to AI systems. They seek comfort, friendship, therapy — sometimes even love. For many, what begins as curiosity suddenly becomes surprisingly intense.

Christoph Koch, journalist and nonfiction author, has spoken with researchers, founders, and users; visited nursing homes equipped with social robots; and tested companion apps himself. He tells the stories of people for whom AI has become an emotional companion.

The author will be signing copies of his book after the session.

In cooperation with the RHET AI - Center for Rhetorical Science Communication Research on Artificial Intelligence