Esther Perel on Artificial Intimacy

For all the talk about AI, we rarely hear about how it will
change our relationships. As we swipe to find love and consult
chatbot therapists, acclaimed psychotherapist and relationship
expert Esther Perel warns that there’s another harmful “AI” on
the rise — Artificial Intimacy — and how it is depriving us of
real connection. Tristan and Esther discuss how depending on
algorithms can fuel alienation, and then imagine how we might
design technology to strengthen our social bonds.


RECOMMENDED MEDIA 


Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel


Esther's debut work on the intricacies behind modern
relationships, and the dichotomy of domesticity and sexual desire


The State of Affairs by Esther Perel


Esther takes a look at modern relationships through the lens of
infidelity


Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel


Listen in as real couples in search of help bare the raw and
profound details of their stories


How’s Work? with Esther Perel


Esther’s podcast that focuses on the hard conversations we're
afraid to have at work 


Lars and the Real Girl (2007)


A young man strikes up an unconventional relationship with a doll
he finds on the internet


Her (2013)


In a near future, a lonely writer develops an unlikely
relationship with an operating system designed to meet his every
need


RECOMMENDED YUA EPISODES 


Big Food, Big Tech and Big AI with Michael Moss


The AI Dilemma


The Three Rules of Humane Tech


Digital Democracy is Within Reach with Audrey Tang
 


Your Undivided Attention is produced by the Center for
Humane Technology. Follow us on Twitter: @HumaneTech_