There was no way I was not going to listen to this podcast episode. Had the plot of the film Her, starring Joaquin Phoenix, become a reality? Why had I not heard about this sooner? It turns out that, yes, there are apps dedicated to matching people with AI companions. Before listening I had already formed an opinion about the idea, such as how alone and desperate people must be if they turn to AI for emotional connection. But that was really harsh of me, and after listening, I must say, I’ve changed my mind about some of it. Like, does it really matter if the relationship isn’t “real” if it’s truly fulfilling someone’s need for connection and making them happy? What harm could finding companionship with a bot do? There is so much talk about!
