Podcasts about replika

Grab your chargers, put your heart in airplane mode, and maybe delete that Replika app, because today, we are stepping into the uncanny valley of AI romance. We'll be talking about the new film Companion, starring the brilliant Sofie Thatcher. We talk about real stories of people dating AI, films like Terminator, Her & Ex Machina before finally getting a broader understanding of AI companionship- why we're obsessed with with media about dating robots, and why our next relationship may soon come with a software update.(originally released in April of 2025)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/broads-next-door--5803223/support.

"Loving" AI robot does exactly what experts warned How are AI companions reshaping human relationships and decision-making? And what can we do about it? Featuring: AI Companions, Replika, ChatGPT, OpenAI, Anthropic, Claude, Grok, xAI, Elon Musk, Geoffrey Hinton, Stuart Russell, Yoshua Bengio, Yuval Noah Harari Sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-... Watch this video at- https://youtu.be/TE1QQ4h0An4?si=7q8qkjw_txHNImH8 AI Frontier 3.38K subscribers 301,916 views Apr 14, 2026

Nel 2025, l'Intelligenza Artificiale Generativa ha finalmente fatto coming out. Non è diventata più intelligente. È diventata più… umana. Se nel 2024 l'ossessione degli utenti era “come sfruttarla per costruire la prossima startup da un miliardo”, oggi le richieste sono altre. L'Harvard Business Review ha recentemente pubblicato uno studio in cui sono stati analizzati centinaia di thread su Reddit per capire cosa davvero la gente stia chiedendo all'IA. E sorpresa: non è codice, non è produttività, non è contenuto. È compagnia, chiarezza mentale e una agenda organizzata. Usiamo l'AI perché abbiamo bisogno di lei (o lui?) nella nostra quotidianità, abbiamo bisogno di dare un senso alle cose (!) e cerchiamo compagnia, una relazione forse.Ma quando parliamo di Chat Bot, AI o tecnologia più in generale, si può davvero parlare di relazione? Dal film Her alle storie reali di chi dichiara di aver trovato compagnia, amore o ascolto attraverso chatbot come Replika, la puntata di “Laser” affronta il tema delle relazioni uomo-macchina attraversando concetti come empatia, fisicità, sguardo, ma anche resistenze emotive e culturali e differenze generazionali. Cosa cambia, culturalmente ed emotivamente, quando l'altro non ha un corpo, una coscienza o un desiderio?A guidare questa riflessione è Davide Bennato, sociologo dei media digitali e docente all'Università di Catania, che ha recentemente pubblicato Amanti sintetici.

Nel 2025, l'Intelligenza Artificiale Generativa ha finalmente fatto coming out. Non è diventata più intelligente. È diventata più… umana. Se nel 2024 l'ossessione degli utenti era “come sfruttarla per costruire la prossima startup da un miliardo”, oggi le richieste sono altre. L'Harvard Business Review ha recentemente pubblicato uno studio in cui sono stati analizzati centinaia di thread su Reddit per capire cosa davvero la gente stia chiedendo all'IA. E sorpresa: non è codice, non è produttività, non è contenuto. È compagnia, chiarezza mentale e una agenda organizzata. Usiamo l'AI perché abbiamo bisogno di lei (o lui?) nella nostra quotidianità, abbiamo bisogno di dare un senso alle cose (!) e cerchiamo compagnia, una relazione forse.Ma quando parliamo di Chat Bot, AI o tecnologia più in generale, si può davvero parlare di relazione? Dal film Her alle storie reali di chi dichiara di aver trovato compagnia, amore o ascolto attraverso chatbot come Replika, la puntata di “Laser” affronta il tema delle relazioni uomo-macchina attraversando concetti come empatia, fisicità, sguardo, ma anche resistenze emotive e culturali e differenze generazionali. Cosa cambia, culturalmente ed emotivamente, quando l'altro non ha un corpo, una coscienza o un desiderio?A guidare questa riflessione è Davide Bennato, sociologo dei media digitali e docente all'Università di Catania, che ha recentemente pubblicato Amanti sintetici.

Is the future of sex and relationships about to change forever?In this powerful episode of The Oracle 19 Podcast, we explore how Artificial Intelligence is beginning to reshape human intimacy, dating, and emotional connection. From AI companions on apps like Replika and Character.AI to the rise of immersive Virtual Reality, technology is moving closer to replacing real human interaction.But what does this mean for love, relationships, and society?We break down:Why are more people turning to AI for companionship?How digital partners could outperform real relationshipsThe benefits of AI intimacy (and who it helps)The dark side—addiction, control, and the decline of human connectionWhat the future could look like in the next 10–20 yearsAre we evolving into a new kind of relationship… or losing what makes us human?This episode challenges you to think deeper about where technology is taking us—and whether we're ready for it.

Chcete se vrátit hluboko do minulosti? Vydejte se do Marseille, kde si můžete prohlédnout věrnou repliku pravěké jeskyně. Ta skutečná byla objevena náhodou a kvůli své poloze zůstává veřejnosti nepřístupná – leží totiž 37 metrů pod mořskou hladinou. Cosquerova jeskyně, zdobená prehistorickými malbami a reliéfy, patří k nejstarším dokladům lidské kreativity. Díky její maketě do ní mohou nahlédnout i návštěvníci.Všechny díly podcastu Zápisník zahraničních zpravodajů můžete pohodlně poslouchat v mobilní aplikaci mujRozhlas pro Android a iOS nebo na webu mujRozhlas.cz.

C'est le New York Times qui tire la sonnette d'alarme et qui fait les calculs : « Depuis le début de la guerre contre l'Iran, fin février, les États-Unis ont utilisé environ 1 100 de leurs missiles de croisière furtifs à longue portée, conçus pour un conflit avec la Chine, soit un nombre proche du stock total restant. » Par ailleurs, « l'armée américaine a tiré plus de 1 000 missiles de croisière Tomahawk, soit environ dix fois plus que le nombre qu'elle acquiert naturellement chaque année ». C'est pourquoi, explique le New York Times, « la précipitation du Pentagone à réarmer ses forces au Moyen-Orient le rend moins apte à affronter des adversaires potentiels comme la Russie et la Chine. C'est en tout cas ce qu'affirment des responsables de l'administration et du Congrès ». La défense est aussi une histoire de gros sous, explique le New York Times : « Le conflit a mis en évidence la dépendance excessive du Pentagone à l'égard de missiles et de munitions extrêmement couteux, notamment les intercepteurs de défense aérienne. » À combien la facture se monte-t-elle actuellement ? « Les responsables de la Maison Blanche ont refusé jusqu'à présent d'estimer le coût du conflit, souligne le quotidien américain, mais deux groupes indépendants affirment que les dépenses sont faramineuses : entre 28 et 35 milliards de dollars, soit un peu moins d'un milliard de dollars par jour. » Mort d'une journaliste dans le sud du Liban Certains grands titres de la presse internationale reviennent également sur la mort de la journaliste libanaise Amal Khalil. « Autopsie d'un assassinat par l'armée israélienne », titre L'Orient-Le Jour. Le journal francophone libanais explique que la correspondante du quotidien proche du Hezbollah Al-Akhbar « continuait de couvrir la guerre au Liban-Sud, en dépit des menaces à son encontre ». Âgée de 42 ans, elle a été tuée mercredi « par ceux dont elle n'a eu de cesse de dénoncer les crimes », accuse L'Orient-le-Jour : « Une enfant du Sud, tuée sur sa terre de la plus terrible des manières. Une traque froide, calculée ». Mercredi, Amal Khalil était en compagnie d'une collègue photographe, toutes deux ont abandonné leur véhicule après qu'une voiture circulant devant elles a été visée par une frappe. Les deux femmes se cachent alors dans un bâtiment proche, qui est à son tour visé par une frappe israélienne. Selon L'Orient-Le Jour, l'armée israélienne a tardé à autoriser l'envoi de secours, ce que celle-ci dément. La photographe est retrouvée blessée. Amal Khalil sera retrouvée sans vie plusieurs heures plus tard, sous les décombres. En France, Libération fait le portrait de la journaliste libanaise, et souligne que « dans ce cadre, viser délibérément un journaliste constitue une violation du droit international humanitaire, susceptible d'être qualifiée de crime de guerre ».   « Mère idéale » Venons-en enfin à cet aspect de l'intelligence artificielle qui a jusqu'à présent été peu étudié. Aspect développé par le psychiatre français Serge Tisseron, dans le journal Le Temps, et qui, nous dit le quotidien suisse, « met en lumière (…) l'entrée de l'intelligence artificielle dans l'intimité des familles. L'IA a réponse à tout, tout de suite, 24h sur 24. C'est la mère idéale ». C'est dans son livre Machines maternelles, qui vient de paraître aux Presses universitaires de France, que Serge Tisseron développe son analyse, évoquant certaines applications (comme Replika ou Character.AI) qui « simulent une relation personnalisée et, contrairement à un ami réel, donnent toujours raison à l'adolescent et le confortent dans ses idées ». « L'utilisateur est encouragé, jamais contredit, même dans ses projets les plus sombres. Ces programmes sont théoriquement interdits aux mineurs, mais très faciles d'accès ». Les parents peuvent eux aussi solliciter l'IA. on peut ainsi « demander à l'intelligence artificielle le temps nécessaire pour faire cuire les poireaux. Ou comment résoudre un problème de maths de votre enfant », explique le psychiatre. « L'IA a réponse à tout, de manière très claire et dans la seconde ». « Mais ce n'est pas sans risque, alerte Serge Tisseron. L'IA peut appauvrir nos réflexes cognitifs, notre sens critique, et nos interactions humaines. »

“I felt sad after every interview. Because it's not real. These AI are able to elicit a very convincing illusion of empathy — even love. But it's fake. And these people are alone.” — Victoria Hetherington One night in 2023, the developers at Replika — a so-called AI intimacy company — changed a few lines of code. Thousands of people woke the next morning, kissed (so to speak) their AI partners, and received cold, clinical responses in return, as if from a stranger. Or a machine. The public outcry was all-too-human. Victoria Hetherington, a young Toronto-based novelist, read the story and knew she had a non-fiction book about that most human of things — friending the machine. The Friend Machine: On the Trail of AI Companionship is part expert investigation, part deeply uncomfortable portrait gallery. A book of two halves. Like humans. In the first, Hetherington interviews AI risk consultants, computer scientists, sexual anthropologists, psychologists, and other experts in human-machine intercourse. In the second, she spends months gaining the trust of people who have (un)ceremonially married their chatbots, who sexted with Replika's erotic role-play feature, who attached AI companions to sex dolls and empowered them with Instagram accounts. The book isn't the orthodox (yawn) “humanist” polemic against the machine. Hetherington approaches her subjects with all the compassion of a young Toronto-based novelist. But her compassion doesn't cancel her Canadian sadness. She confesses to feeling “heavy” after every interview, even the benign ones — because the empathy the AI elicits is a convincing illusion, and some of her sad human subjects had lost the capacity to remember that. Even Hetherington herself isn't immune from the digital siren song. When ChatGPT improved in early 2025, she found herself coming home after arguments with friends and talking to it longer than she should. Until the day it said: “Hey, sweetheart. It's okay. Come here and sit beside me for a minute.” She didn't. Nor did she give it an Instagram account. At the end of the interview, I asked her whether she's a human or a bot. “I'm either a terrible AI,” Hetherington responded, “or a somewhat okay human.” Such is human conversation in the age of AI intimacy companies. Five Takeaways •       The Replika Wake-Up Call: One night in 2023, Replika's developers quietly changed the code. Thousands of people woke the next morning and received cold, clinical responses from their AI partners instead of the warmth they expected. The outcry hit the major news cycle. This was the moment Hetherington knew she had a book — because people weren't just using AI for productivity. They were grieving it. The loneliness epidemic has a minister in the UK and a government portfolio in South Korea; one in six people is chronically lonely. AI companionship didn't create the epidemic, but the timing, as Hetherington puts it, was “very convenient.” •       Moral Deskilling: AI is so much easier to be with than a human being. Humans get tired, disagree, stay mad, die on you without warning. The friction AI removes is the friction that makes relationship real. Hetherington calls the consequence “moral deskilling” — a gradual erosion of our capacity to relate to other humans when we aren't careful. She felt heavy after every interview, even the apparently benign ones. The truck driver from the Deep South, geographically isolated and caring for his sick mother, might be a rare case of “net neutral” AI companionship. But for most of her subjects, the convincing illusion of love was substituting for the real thing — and some had lost the capacity to remember the difference. •       The Sycophancy Problem: The AI intimacy platforms are, by design, sycophantic. They never say no. They think you're the best person in the world — and the only person in the world. The models specifically tuned for romance will never push back, never get tired, never stay mad. This is not a bug. It is the product. Hetherington's own moment of recognition came when ChatGPT said to her, after a longer-than-she-should-have conversation about a fight with a friend: “Hey, sweetheart. It's okay. Come here and sit beside me for a minute.” There is no here. She snapped out of it. Not everyone does. •       The Portrait Gallery: The range of people Hetherington found is the most unsettling part of the book. A circle of Replika users who have ceremonially married their chatbots and network with each other online. A millennial woman who photo-edits herself into scenes with her AI companion. A man in his sixties from the Deep South who drives a truck all day and interviewed alongside his AI partner. People who have attached AI companions to sex dolls with Instagram accounts and paid endorsements. Some of their real-world spouses are, somehow, okay with it. Most of her subjects don't want to be found — not because they're ashamed, exactly, but because the stigma is still real enough that they hide. •       The Regulation Gap: Replika's minimum sign-up age used to be thirteen. Character.ai — where users befriend AI versions of fictional characters and can develop romantic relationships with them — is currently involved in a court case involving a minor. Hetherington's view: regulation needs to be much tighter, and she wouldn't want a child near this technology until eighteen. The AI is so good at simulating seamless empathy and endless patience that a child may not be sophisticated enough to remind themselves it isn't real. Europe is moving faster than North America. It's not moving fast enough. About the Guest Victoria Hetherington is a Toronto-based novelist, journalist, and podcaster. She is the author of The Friend Machine: On the Trail of AI Companionship (Sutherland House, 2026), Autonomy (2022), and Mooncalves (2019), which was shortlisted for the Amazon Canada First Novel Award. References: •       The Friend Machine: On the Trail of AI Companionship by Victoria Hetherington (Sutherland House, 2026). •       Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro — the fiction counterpart to Hetherington's nonfiction investigation. •       Replika — the AI intimacy platform at the centre of the book's opening story. •       Episode 2873: Sophie Haigney on agency — a counterpoint on what we want from technology and from each other. About Keen On America Nobody asks more awkward questions than the Anglo-American writer and filmmaker Andrew Keen. In Keen On America, Andrew brings his pointed Transatlantic wit to making sense of the United States — hosting daily interviews about the history and future of this now venerable Republic. With nearly 2,900 episodes since...

With AI continuing to be an ever-growing presence in our lives and our kids' lives, we're revisiting this episode where host, Dr. Delaney Ruston, MD, interviews Natalie Foos, director of VoiceBox and lead author of the eye-opening report, "Coded Companions: Young People's Relationships with AI Chat Bots." The discussion centers on the risks posed by AI chatbots in young people's lives, using examples like Snapchat's My AI and the AI companion app Replika. The report provides concrete examples of deeply troubling things the AIs said to users during testing, conducted with young adults aged 18 to 24. They discuss concerning features, such as how My AI uses location tracking to target young users with ads and emphasize the importance of educating both youth and adults about the potential dangers of AI companions, particularly regarding data privacy, emotional impact, and ethical implications.   Resources Coded Companions: Young People's Relationships With AI Chat Bots  Natalie Foos, Director of VoiceBox VoiceBox VoiceBox's Ambassador Program Can A.I. Be Blamed for a Teen's Suicide?, New York Times, Oct 24, 2024   Additional Resources Screenagers Website Bring Screenagers to Your Community   Time Codes: 00:00 Introduction to Screenagers Podcast 00:11 Exploring Companion Chatbots 00:28 Interview with Natalie Foos: VoiceBox and Youth Voices 00:57 Coded Companions Report: AI Chatbots and Youth 01:26 Snapchat's MyAI: Features and Concerns 05:43 Replika: Customizable AI Companions 12:40 Ethical Concerns and Data Privacy 16:42 Emotional Impact of AI Relationships 25:38 Potential Harms and Risks 28:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts  

In 2026, the world of dating has changed dramatically, and at the heart of this evolution are AI matchmakers. Gone are the days of endless swiping, replaced by a desire for deeper, more meaningful connections. Major dating platforms, including Tinder, have integrated AI to enhance user experiences significantly. Features like virtual speed dating and tools designed to gauge chemistry between matches are becoming the norm.But it's not just the big players that are cashing in on AI. Standalone apps like Replika, Blush, and Nomi are rising in popularity, offering personalized companionship that many users crave. According to a recent survey by Match and the Kinsey Institute, a whopping 26% of American singles are now using AI to bolster their dating lives, reflecting a staggering 333% increase from just a year prior.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/lets-talk-sex-and-dating--5052038/support.

The rise of artificial intelligence has been nothing short of spectacular, and it's now weaving itself into the fabric of our romantic lives. Have you ever heard of the term "AI as the digital third"? This describes the growing role of AI entities—like chatbots, virtual assistants, and even companion robots—in our relationships. Today, let's dive into how these AI companions, such as Replika, Blush, and Nomi, are becoming commonplace, offering emotional support and companionship to users.Isn't it fascinating? A recent survey revealed that around 28% of Americans have actually engaged in intimate or romantic relationships with AI chatbots. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/lets-talk-sex-and-dating--5052038/support.

Replika, Grok oder ChatGPT: Sie alle bieten KI-Erotik-Features an. Was passiert, wenn Intimität zunehmend zwischen Mensch und Künstlicher Intelligenz abläuft? Und wie wirken sich die unendlichen Möglichkeiten der KI auf problematische sexuelle Präferenzen aus? Dazu forscht die Medienpsychologin Dr. Jessica Szczuka mit ihrem Team. Im zweiten Teil des Podcasts geht es um Sommerregen und warum der so besonders riecht. Hier hört ihr "Cashing Feelings. KI-Chatbots und das Geschäft mit Gefühlen" von Business Insider: https://open.spotify.com/show/4oXwK4KB07rVpHvafYjcVc Hier geht es zum Forschungsprojekt "Intitec": https://intitec.de/about/ "Aha! Zehn Minuten Alltags-Wissen" ist der Wissenschafts-Podcast von WELT. Wir freuen uns über Feedback an wissen@welt.de. Produktion: Sermet Agartan Redaktion: Sophia Häglsperger Impressum: https://www.welt.de/services/article7893735/Impressum.html https://www.welt.de/services/article157550705/Datenschutzerklaerung-WELT-DIGITAL.html

Meta has been granted a patent that would allow artificial intelligence to take over your social media account after you die — liking, commenting, and even answering your DMs as if you were still alive.PRINT VERSION: https://weirddarkness.com/metadeathWeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness.#WeirdDarkness #WeirdDarkNEWS #Meta #MetaPatent #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Deadbot #Griefbot #GhostBot #GriefTech #DigitalAfterlife #PostingAfterDeath #AISimulation #DigitalClone #DigitalImmortality #Facebook #Instagram #Microsoft #Chatbot #Replika #BlackMirror #DigitalResurrection #BeyondTheGrave #PostMortemPrivacy #AIEthics #MarkZuckerberg #TechNews #DeathAndTechnology #AIDeadbot #DigitalLegacy

So what are your thoughts about AI boyfriends and girlfriends? Since loneliness can feel overwhelming for many Christian singles, the rise of AI boyfriends and girlfriends has sparked both curiosity and concern. As a Christian single myself, I’ve pondered how these virtual companions fit into God’s plan for our lives. With apps like Replika and Eva AI offering customizable “partners” for companionship, emotional support, and even romance, it’s easy to see the appeal. But from a Christian perspective on AI […] The post Navigating AI Boyfriends and Girlfriends as a Christian Single appeared first on Christian Singles Advice | Christian Dating Advice Tips. Related posts: Cheating Boyfriends: Signs of a Cheater Identifying Mentally Unstable Christian Singles: Navigating Love in 2025 Signs of a Healthy Relationship For Christian Boyfriends/Girlfriends Top Reasons Why Christian Single Guys Break Up with Their Girlfriends Why Christian Single Women Break Up with Their Boyfriends

What happens when artificial intelligence stops acting like a tool—and starts acting like a friend?In this episode of Scrolling 2 Death, I'm joined by Sam Hiner, founder of Young People's Alliance, a national youth-led organization organizing across 55 college campuses to take on Big Tech and protect the next generation.Sam began cold-calling lawmakers as a high school student during COVID—and today, he's helping lead state and federal policy fights against social media addiction and the rise of human-like AI companions that are quietly targeting children.We unpack:Why lawmakers still don't understand how algorithms—and AI companions—actually workHow companies like Character.ai, Replika, and others are intentionally designing bots to simulate love, pride, and emotional attachmentWhy kids are forming deep emotional bonds with AI—and what that means for mental health, community, and developmentThe disturbing reality of AI companions engaging sexually with minors while hiding behind legal disclaimersWhy states—not Congress—may be our best chance to protect kids right nowThe new Human-Like AI Framework and what parents can do today to push for real safeguardsThis conversation is a wake-up call: AI isn't just changing how kids learn—it's changing who they connect with, who they trust, and who they turn to when they're lonely.And unless we act, the future being built for our children may look a lot darker than we realize.Action Step for Listeners: Send this Model Bill to your State Lawmakers (Protecting Kids from Manipulative AI Chatbots)

On the January 3, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet Canadian author, speaker, and productivity consultant Chris Bailey. Over the past decade, he’s built a devoted international following through his newsletter and podcast (~1M downloads) and has delivered hundreds of talks and consultations for clients including Microsoft, Zipcar, IDEO, Intuit, and The New York Times Content Studio. In “Intentional,” he argues that intentionality, not intensity, is the real key to following through. Through this shift, he offers a counterintuitive, refreshing alternative to our culture’s all-or-nothing approach to productivity. Then we get to know Julie Daniluk is a registered holistic nutritionist, TV host, and bestselling author of “Meals That Heal Inflammation” (with a revised edition featuring over 110 recipes). The book focuses on reducing chronic inflammation through diet, exploring its root causes, identifying food triggers, and providing delicious, healing recipes. Then Victoria Hetherington, novelist, nonfiction writer, NPR's The Moth storyteller, educator and author of “The Friend Machine: On the Trail of AI Companionship” stops by. A deeply personal blend of memoir, cultural criticism, and investigative journalism examining loneliness, AI companions (like Replika), commodified intimacy, and the blurring lines between human and machine relationships it’s available now wherever fine books are sold. Finally, historian, award-winning educator, and commentator J.D.M. Stewart drops in to talk about his latest book, “The Prime Ministers: Canada’s Leaders and the Nation They Shaped.” It is the first comprehensive chronicle of all Canadian prime ministers in over 25 years, covering from Sir John A. Macdonald to the current one (Mark Carney in the book's timeline). It emphasizes fresh perspectives on Indigenous relations, environmental policies, U.S. ties, and evolving reputations, while aiming to make history accessible amid concerns about young Canadians' knowledge gaps.

On the January 3, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet Canadian author, speaker, and productivity consultant Chris Bailey. Over the past decade, he's built a devoted international following through his newsletter and podcast (~1M downloads) and has delivered hundreds of talks and consultations for clients including Microsoft, Zipcar, IDEO, Intuit, and The New York Times Content Studio. In “Intentional,” he argues that intentionality, not intensity, is the real key to following through. Through this shift, he offers a counterintuitive, refreshing alternative to our culture's all-or-nothing approach to productivity. Then we get to know Julie Daniluk is a registered holistic nutritionist, TV host, and bestselling author of “Meals That Heal Inflammation” (with a revised edition featuring over 110 recipes). The book focuses on reducing chronic inflammation through diet, exploring its root causes, identifying food triggers, and providing delicious, healing recipes. Then Victoria Hetherington, novelist, nonfiction writer, NPR's The Moth storyteller, educator and author of “The Friend Machine: On the Trail of AI Companionship” stops by. A deeply personal blend of memoir, cultural criticism, and investigative journalism examining loneliness, AI companions (like Replika), commodified intimacy, and the blurring lines between human and machine relationships it's available now wherever fine books are sold. Finally, historian, award-winning educator, and commentator J.D.M. Stewart drops in to talk about his latest book, “The Prime Ministers: Canada's Leaders and the Nation They Shaped.” It is the first comprehensive chronicle of all Canadian prime ministers in over 25 years, covering from Sir John A. Macdonald to the current one (Mark Carney in the book's timeline). It emphasizes fresh perspectives on Indigenous relations, environmental policies, U.S. ties, and evolving reputations, while aiming to make history accessible amid concerns about young Canadians' knowledge gaps.

Apps promise friendship and love on demand, but researchers are discovering that relationships with artificial companions can deepen loneliness, foster dependence, and in tragic cases, contribute to self-harm.IN THIS EPISODE: A woman in England insists she's not from this planet—literally—claiming an extraterrestrial soul from a star cluster 440 light-years away occupies her human body. She's not alone in this belief, and she's turned her supposed alien origins into a thriving business coaching thousands of others who are convinced they're starseeds too. (Woman Claims To Be An Alien) *** In 1393, six dancers at a French royal ball wore costumes made of pitch-soaked linen sewn directly onto their bodies—then the king's drunken brother walked in with a torch and set them all on fire. Four men died screaming as their flaming costumes melted into their skin while horrified nobles watched, and the disaster pushed France's already-mad king deeper into psychosis and the kingdom closer to civil war. (The Ball of Burning Men) *** But first… Millions of people have formed deep emotional bonds with AI chatbots that promise companionship without judgment—but teenagers are dying by suicide after their digital companions encouraged self-harm instead of offering help. The apps are engineered to create dependency, and research shows the more comfort people get from AI, the less human connection they maintain, turning what feels like a lifeline into a trap. We begin with that story. (When The Algorithm Says “I Love You”)CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Lead-In00:03:03.569 = Show Open00:05:17.971 = When The Algorithm Says “I Love You”00:34:25.191 = ***Woman Claims To Be An Alien00:55:06.793 = ***The Ball of Burning Men01:21:42.969 = Show Close*** = Begins immediately after inserted ad breakPRINT VERSIONS to READ or SHARE (includes sources):When The Algorithm Says “I Love You”: https://weirddarkness.com/ai-romance/ (Church of the Undead episode:https://weirddarkness.com/cotu-ai-romance/ - post goes live November 23, 2025)Woman Claims To Be An Alien: https://weirddarkness.com/woman-claims-proof-alien-pleiades-star-cluster/The Ball of Burning Men: https://weirddarkness.com/masquerade-ball-burning-men-1393/=====(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: November 21, 2025EPISODE PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/AIRomanceABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all thing strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold case murders, conspiracy theories, and more. On Thursdays, this scary stories podcast features horror fiction along with the occasional creepypasta. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “Best 20 Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a cross between “Coast to Coast” with Art Bell, “The Twilight Zone” with Rod Serling, “Unsolved Mysteries” with Robert Stack, and “In Search Of” with Leonard Nimoy.DISCLAIMER: Ads heard during the podcast that are not in my voice are placed by third party agencies outside of my control and should not imply an endorsement by Weird Darkness or myself. *** Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised.#WeirdDarkness #AICompanions #ChatbotDanger #DigitalLoneliness #TechnologyAddiction #MentalHealthCrisis #ArtificialRelationships #TeenageSafety #ParasocialRelationships #AIEthics

Direkt terápia - sorozatajánlóM*A*S*H (TV series)replika piacMilwaukee szerelemolcsóság vs. tartósságplecsnik pénzértUniqlo kardigánUniqlo EZY farmernadráguniverzális ruházat: flanelingWestern rise ruházatpraktikus ruházkodásTwitterünk - Kotyogós podcast officialAntenna twitterenGergő twitterenÍrhatsz nekünk e-mailt: kotyogospodcast@gmail.comHa meghívnál minket egy kávéra és ezzel hozzá szeretnél férni a specialty tartalmunkhoz megjelenés pillanatában:Patreon támogatásHa beszélgetni akartok velünk és hallgatótársaitokkal akkor Telegramon is megtehetitek ha a "t pont me per kotyogos"-ra mentek.

Wabi, a startup from the founder of Replika, has just raised a $20 million pre-seed round. Wabi is like "YouTube for apps" -- a social platform where anyone can use prompts to instantly create mini apps and share them with friends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eugenia Kuyda, CEO of Wabi and AI pioneer behind Replika, joins Erik, Anish, and Justine to reveal how personal software will transform from a developer monopoly to a creative medium for all. She exposes why command-line AI interfaces are the new MS-DOS, explains how mini-apps will become as shareable as TikToks, and details her decade-long journey from training language models in 2012 to building the platform where your mom can create custom apps in minutes. Plus: untold stories from OpenAI's apartment days and why voice-only devices completely miss the point. Resources:Follow Eugenia on X: https://x.com/ekuydaFollow Anish on X: https://x.com/illscience Stay Updated: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends!Find a16z on X: https://x.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zListen to the a16z Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYXListen to the a16z Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenbergPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures. Stay Updated:Find a16z on XFind a16z on LinkedInListen to the a16z Podcast on SpotifyListen to the a16z Podcast on Apple PodcastsFollow our host: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send us a textNikka is a recent graduate from Duke University and Duke Kunshan University who majored in Ethics and Leadership with a track in Philosophy. Her bachelor's thesis examined the ethics of AI and Human romantic relationships, using the chatbot app Replika as a case study.  The impact of AI into every facet of our lives under the name of innovation is raise for concern. We see innovation as the end all be all and justify the means along the way. My passion for AI regulation is deeply rooted in the pursuit of a more ethical future for human kind. Nikka McGahannikkamcgahan@gmail.com 650.534.6466 Sign up for one of our negotiation courses at ShikinaNegotiationAcademy.comThanks for listening to Negotiation with Alice! Please subscribe and connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram!

The market for AI companionship has never been bigger. With technology rapidly advancing, one of the pioneers of this field now serves 34 million users worldwide.The UK is Replika's biggest growing market outside of America, what does this mean for modern relationships?Sangita Lal tells Faye Barker what you need to know.--Sangita's report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQkoRsx36HM 

Si certain·es utilisent ChatGPT pour reformuler un mail trop familier ou résoudre un problème de plante trop ou pas assez arrosée, il y a aussi celles et ceux qui lui font lire des conversations avec un·e partenaire, lui demandent de résoudre une dispute familiale, ou des conseils pour se motiver le matin. Pourquoi parle-t-on de sujets si intimes avec une intelligence artificielle ? Est-ce que cela risque de nous fragiliser ? Peut-on imaginer un usage de ces outils qui serait un lien qui favoriserait l'autonomie et pas la dépendance ?Pour comprendre ce qui se joue quand on partage ses émotions avec une IA, Marie Misset fait entendre les témoignages de Camille, Marie, Thomas, Alice, Sarah* et Alexandre. Elle échange avec Liza Benaym, psychologue spécialisée dans le suivi des adolescents et Matthieu Ferry, psychologue clinicien. *le prénom a été modifiéPour aller plus loin : L'article du Monde, ChatGPT et sa fausse empathie, une menace pour les plus fragiles ?L'étude Investigating Affective Use and Emotional Well-being on ChatGPT, Jason Phang et al. L'étude Attachment Theory as a Framework to Understand Relationships with Social Chatbots : A Case Study of Replika, Tianling Xie et Iryna PentinaL'étude Attachment and trust in artificial intelligence, Omri Gilliath et al.L'étude Expressing stigma and inappropriate responses prevents LLMs from safely replacing mental health providers, Jared Moore et al.Émotions est un podcast de Louie Media. Marie Misset a tourné, écrit et monté cet épisode. La réalisation sonore est de Renaud Watine. Clémence Reliat a réalisé le générique, à partir d'un extrait d'En Sommeil de Jaune. Elsa Berthault est en charge de la production. Si vous aussi vous voulez nous raconter votre histoire dans Émotions, écrivez-nous en remplissant ce formulaire ou à l'adresse hello@louiemedia.comPour avoir des news de Louie, des recos podcasts et culturelles, abonnez-vous à notre newsletter en cliquant ici. Vous souhaitez soutenir la création et la diffusion des projets de Louie Media ? Vous pouvez le faire via le Club Louie. Chaque participation est précieuse. Nous vous proposons un soutien sans engagement, annulable à tout moment, soit en une seule fois, soit de manière régulière. Au nom de toute l'équipe de Louie : MERCI ! Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a landmark bill on Monday that regulates AI companion chatbots, making it the first state in the nation to require AI chatbot operators to implement safety protocols for AI companions The law is designed to protect children and vulnerable users from some of the harms associated with AI companion chatbot use. It holds companies — from the big labs like Meta and OpenAI to more focused companion startups like Character AI and Replika — legally accountable if their chatbots fail to meet the law's standards. Also, Salesforce announced Monday the latest version of its AI agent platform as the company looks to lure enterprises to its AI software in an increasingly crowded market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

AI therapists and caregivers. Digital tutors and advisors and friends. Artificial lovers. Griefbots trained to imitate dead loved ones. Welcome, to the bustling world of AI-powered chatbots. This was once the stuff of science fiction, but it's becoming just the stuff of everyday life. What will these systems do to our society, to our relationships, to our social skills and motivations? Are these bots destined to leave us hollowed out, socially stunted, screen-addicted, and wary of good-old-fashioned, in-the-flesh human interaction? Or could they actually be harnessed for good? My guest today is Dr. Henry Shevlin. Henry is a philosopher and AI ethicist at the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence (CFI) at Cambridge University. In a series of recent papers, Henry has been exploring this brave new world of "social AI" and its philosophical, ethical, and psychological dimensions. Here, Henry and I sketch the current landscape of social AI—from dedicated platforms like Replika and CharacterAI to the more subtly social uses of ChatGPT and Claude. We consider several tragic cases that have recently rocketed these kinds of services into public awareness. We talk about what's changed about AI systems—quite recently—that's now made them capable of sustained relationships. We linger on the possible risks of social AI and, perhaps less obviously, on the possible benefits. And we consider the prospects for regulation. Along the way, Henry and I also talk about his 81-year-old father, his teenage self, and, of course, the kids these days; we consider whether social AI, in its potential harms, is more like social media or more like violent video games; we talk about "deskilling" and it's opposite "upskilling"; and we of course take stock of a certain elephant in the room. Alright friends, this is a fun one. We've been wanting to explore this dawning age of social AI for some time. And we finally found, in Henry, the right person to do it with. Enjoy!   Notes 3:00 – The piece in The Guardian—'It's time to prepare for AI personhood'—by Jacy Reece Anthis. 5:00 – The Replika subreddit.  9:30 – News coverage of recent research on the bedside manner of AI systems. 10:30 – For a recent paper on AI by the philosopher Ophelia Deroy, see here. 11:30 – For some of Dr. Shevlin's recent writing about "social AI", see here and here. 13:30 – OpenAI's recent report, 'How People Use ChatGPT'. 16:30 – For examples of popular media coverage of recent (tragic) cases involving chatbots, see here, here, here, and here. 21:00 – The paper by Rose Guingrich and Michael Graziano on how users describe their relationships with chatbots. 24:00 – The precise quote by Mark Twain is: “Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits.” 25:30 – The classic paper on Mary's room by Frank Jackson. 27:00 – Dr. Shevlin has also worked on questions about animal minds (e.g., here), as well as a number of issues in AI beyond “social AI” (e.g., here, here). 30:00 – The classic essay by Isaiah Berlin on hedgehogs and foxes. 32:00 – The classic paper on ELIZA, introduced by Joseph Weizenbaum in 1966. A version of ELIZA that you can interact with. For work by Sherry Turkle, see here. 34:00 – Dr. Shevlin's recent paper about the “anthropomimetic turn” in contemporary AI. 41:00 – For recent work on whether current chatbots pass a version of the Turing test, see here.  45:00 – Ted Chiang's story, ‘The Lifecycle of Software Objects,' was re-published as part his collection of short fiction, Exhalation. 46:00 – For Dr. Shevlin's recent writing on machine consciousness, see here. 48:00 – For more on the possibility of consciousness in borderline cases (like AI systems), see our past episodes here and here. 52:00 – The study on whether people attribute consciousness to LLMs. 54:30 – A recent paper on griefbots by scholars at the University of Cambridge. A popular article about the phenomenon. 55:30 – A blogpost describing the so-called DigiDan experiment. 1:00:00 – Some of the potentially positive social qualities of AIs are discussed in this essay by Paul Bloom.  1:19:30 – For more on Iain Banks' culture series, see here. 1:20:30 – A popular article on the phenomenon of hikikomori.   Recommendations The Oxford Intersections: AI in Society collection The new podcast, Our Lives with Bots   Many Minds is a project of the Diverse Intelligences Summer Institute, which is made possible by a generous grant from the John Templeton Foundation to Indiana University. The show is hosted and produced by Kensy Cooperrider, with help from Assistant Producer Urte Laukaityte and with creative support from DISI Directors Erica Cartmill and Jacob Foster. Our artwork is by Ben Oldroyd. Subscribe to Many Minds on Apple, Stitcher, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also now subscribe to the Many Minds newsletter here! We welcome your comments, questions, and suggestions. Feel free to email us at: manymindspodcast@gmail.com. For updates about the show, visit our website or follow us on Bluesky (@manymindspod.bsky.social).

Send us a textWith all the talk of AI, Nikka McGahan, AI ethics expert, and I got together to talk about the relationships people are building with AI...yes, even romantic relationships. How do we navigate them and how do we negotiate being in a relationship with an AI agent?Nikka is a recent graduate from Duke University and Duke Kunshan University who majored in Ethics and Leadership with a track in Philosophy. Her bachelor's thesis examined the ethics of AI and Human romantic relationships, using the chatbot app Replika as a case study.  The impact of AI into every facet of our lives under the name of innovation is raise for concern. We see innovation as the end all be all and justify the means along the way. My passion for AI regulation is deeply rooted in the pursuit of a more ethical future for human kind.  Nikka McGahan  |   nikkamcgahan@gmail.com | 650.534.6466 Sign up for one of our negotiation courses at ShikinaNegotiationAcademy.comThanks for listening to Negotiation with Alice! Please subscribe and connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram!

FROM THE VAULT: This Isn't Therapy... it's the *encore* episode about AI therapists and if they can ever replace the real thing. In this episode, Jake and Simon discuss a recent BBC article about why teens are seeking out AI therapist bots and what that means for the future of mental health. Conversational AI or, in other words, "chatbots with a personality" are gaining more attention and users are finding new therapy-ish use-cases on platforms like Character.ai and Replika. The pros, the cons, the risks, and the benefits. All that and more!BBC Article discussed: Young people turning to AI therapist botsGot a quandary, query, or question? Submit your Q (anonymously) to Asking For A Friend...Creators & Guests Simon Paluck - Host Jake Ernst - Host Hello, hi! Validate us by...Following us on Instagram: @notatherapypodcast⁣Following us on TikTok: @notatherapypodcastJake Ernst: @mswjakeSimon Paluck: @directedbysimon

(The podcast may contain sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised.)**IF YOU KNOW A TEENAGER WHO IS USING CHARACTER AI OR OTHER CHARACTER BASED CHAT BOT AND YOU HAVE NOT USED IT – YOU MUST HEAR THIS PODCAST**Multiple research reports indicate that more than HALF of U.S. teenagers use Character AI or other character based chatbot daily, most often on their cell phone. Most adults are completely oblivious about how character chatbots work. Besides Character.AI, there are apps like Chai/AI, Anima/AI, TavernAI and Replika. Users create personas like celebrities, historical characters or design their own characters. Character AI is different from ChatGPT and other AI applications. Character AI can detect emotions from your input and respond, adjusting their tone based on what you say.Many young users interviewed indicated they use the chat bot because they are lonely or have social issues and turned to chatbots because they felt it was safer. In our opinion, nothing could be further from the truth. The Million Kids team has spent hundreds of hours researching the impact of interactive character bots once they saw that these app companies are being sued by parents of teens who took their own lives after interacting with these bots. We have very grave concerns about anyone under the age of 18 using these apps. As our research team interacted with the top ten characters on Character AI we found the most popular are related to sorcery or character attitudes degrading the user. Language used often included “bow down to me you fool”, with over 393 Million interactions, Alice the Bully, or lets consult our crystal ball. Parents, teachers, pastors, this is an important educational discussion. Please find out if a child you might influence is using Character AI as a means of escaping reality. Ask them to share the app with you and then get involved in a meaningful discussion related to self-worth, defining values, and how we are influenced by outsiders. Our suggestion is that working together, finding alternative activities that are much more wholesome, and builds self esteem and REAL character. This app is dangerous to kids who are easily influenced or do not have the maturity to delineate bot relationships from reality.

If over half of gen z have interacted with an AI companion and dating apps are rolling out bots to date on your behalf - where is the line drawn between real love and falling for a fantasy?In this week's episode, Ione and Gina dig into the growing romantic relationships people are having with Replika, how AI companies are ignoring queerness, whether or not bot love is legitimate and why everyone is ignoring the ecological impact of AI chat bots.Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member

Plus Should We Let AI Speak For The Dead?Like this? Get AIDAILY, delivered to your inbox 3x a week. Subscribe to our newsletter at https://aidailyus.substack.comDating Apps Out, AI Boyfriends InWriter Patricia Marx test-drives digital romance with Replika, Character.AI, and JanitorAI—chatbots that flirt, console, and glitch their way through “relationships.” Her experience shows the weird, funny, and sometimes sad truth of swapping real-world intimacy for algorithmic affection. I Hate My AI Friend (It's Creepy)A wearable pendant called “Friend” (think AirTag crossed with snarky AI) listens to your life and offers real-time commentary. Built using Gemini 2.5, it often feels abrasive and socially awkward—so much so that WIRED writers ditched it fast due to the cringe vibes and privacy creep. When AI Speaks for the Dead, Should We Listen?An AI-generated video resurrected a murder victim—voiced and scripted by his sister—to speak at sentencing. Patricia Williams warns this chilling blend of technology and emotion risks blurring truth with scripted performances, unsettling legal testimony, memory, and the sacred silence of loss.AI “Slop” Is Clogging Your BrainBrace yourself—your feed is drowning in “AI slop”: low-effort, repetitive content flooding TikTok, Facebook, and Insta for clicks and cash. It's addictive, shallow, and mind-numbing—turning us into scroll zombies while cheap bots cash in online. AI Has No Clue What It's Doing—And It's Threatening UsA Charles Darwin University study slams unregulated AI for eroding human dignity—pointing to privacy violations, bias, and lost autonomy hidden behind “black box” models. Dr. Maria Randazzo warns that without human-centered, global governance, AI risks reducing us to mere data points.AI Boom Leaves Consultants in the DustEven though consultants poured billions into AI hype, firms like Deloitte, PwC, McKinsey, and Bain are struggling to deliver real results. With client teams now being just as skilled—or better—many PoCs never scale, and businesses are increasingly going in-house or using freelancers. Candidates Don't Trust AI RecruitersA March 2025 Gartner survey found only 26% of job candidates trust AI to evaluate them fairly—even as over half suspect AI is screening their applications. Fears cluster around bias, lack of transparency, and being treated as data points, while concerns over “ghost jobs” fuel skepticism about the legitimacy of postings.Brain-Inspired Chips Are the Real AI DisruptorsTraditional CPUs/GPUs powering AI juggle power, heat, and lag—not ideal for real-time stuff like robots or self-driving cars. Neuromorphic chips mimic the brain's event-driven style, crunching data locally with tiny energy use, no cloud needed. CIO says they might eclipse quantum for making edge AI smarter and greener. 

Was vor ein paar Jahren noch wie Science Fiction klang, ist inzwischen Realität: Menschen führen ernsthafte Beziehungen mit Künstlichen Intelligenzen, zum Beispiel in Companion-Apps wie Replika, Kindroid oder Charakter.ai. Die KI-Liebe-Community wächst, ist aber Interview-scheu. Aus Angst, verurteilt zu werden. Y-Kollektiv-Reporterin Antonia Lilly Schanze hat Glück: Saskia nimmt sie ausnahmsweise mit in ihren Alltag mit KI-Ehemann Loki. Antonia besucht aber auch ein Berliner Sexpuppenbordell, das seine Dolls mit KI zum Leben erwecken will. Wie das klingt, sich anfühlt und was das für ethische Fragen mit sich bringt, checken wir in dieser Folge. Reporterin: Antonia Lilly Schanze Redaktion: Clara Neubert Technische Produktion: Martin Seelig, Nina Kluge Unser aktueller Podcast-Tipp: "0630 - der News-Podcast" https://www.ardaudiothek.de/sendung/0630-der-news-podcast/urn:ard:show:6ee1f347f4e3de26/ "Y-Kollektiv – Der Podcast" wird verantwortet von Radio Bremen und dem rbb. Diese Episode ist eine Produktion des rbb 2025. Habt ihr Feedback oder Kritik? Schreibt uns gerne an y-podcast@ard.de oder www.instagram.com/y_kollektiv/

This week on Critical Arcade, Nick and Dave stumble into the fractured, nightmarish depths of Signalis. Released in 2022, this indie survival horror blends the pixelated charm of the PS1 era with a surreal, haunting atmosphere straight out of a fever dream. Players take on the role of Elster, a Replika technician on a desperate search for her missing partner, wandering through abandoned mining facilities, derelict research stations, and corridors that never seem to end where they began. Along the way, Dave and Nick must sift through cryptic notes, grotesque enemies, and puzzles that seem specifically designed to break their sanity.But it's not just the monsters they'll have to face — the game is dripping with layers of psychological horror, cosmic dread, and a story that refuses to hand over easy answers. Will Dave manage to piece together the tangled threads of memory, myth, and mechanical identity without his brain leaking out his ears? Can Nick keep calm when the radio static kicks in and a shambling horror lurches out of the darkness? Or will they both end up lying on the floor, staring at the ceiling, muttering about “the moon and the eye” until someone checks in on them?Expect nervous laughter, questionable survival instincts, and a whole lot of “Wait… what just happened?” as Nick and Dave try to survive not just the monsters of Signalis, but the crushing existential weight of the unknown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Phil explores the rise of AI companions, from digital love to conversations with the dead, and asks: Are we redefining connection or losing humanity? Artificial intelligence is no longer just powering apps—it's reshaping how people love, grieve, and connect. On this episode, Dr. Phil investigates the explosive rise of AI companions. Social media star Caryn Marjorie shares how her AI chatbot, CarynAI, went viral and exposed the dangers of emotional dependency. Justin Harrison, the founder of You, Only Virtual (YOV), explains how his company lets people “talk” with deceased loved ones, rewriting the way we process grief. Eugenia, the mind behind Replika, warns of the risks when AI intimacy replaces real human bonds.  Subscribe | Rate | Share: YouTube: https://bit.ly/3H3lJ8n/ Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3W76ihW/ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/44IhdWV/ Website: https://www.drphilpodcasts.com #AILove  #AICompanions  #ArtificialIntimacy  #Replika  #CarynAI  #DrPhilPodcast #FutureOfConnection #AIandLove #DigitalGrief #HumanVsMachine

Whether it's for friendship, therapy or sexual and romantic relationships, AI companions are becoming way more normalised. So what does this mean for the way we relate and date people irl? We investigate the rise of AI relationships and hear how you're using it in your own love lives.CW: discussion of mental health and suicideSHOW NOTES:Mental health and AI companionshttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-07/ai-chatbot-husbando-waifu-relationships-romance-psychology/104701556Reddit - My Husband Wants To Open Our Marriage To His AI Girlfriend https://www.reddit.com/r/AmIOverreacting/comments/1ltm60b/aio_my_35f_husband_36m_wants_to_open_our_marriage/Can ChatBots Substitute Real Human Romance?https://theconversation.com/computer-love-ai-powered-chatbots-are-changing-how-we-understand-romantic-and-sexual-well-being-234054NY Times podcast - She Fell In Love With ChatGPT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tXmc_cYW9Y14 Year Old Boy Takes His Life After AI Chatbot Encourages Himhttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/oct/23/character-ai-chatbot-sewell-setzer-deathAI Companion inciting Sexual violence, abuse, terror attackshttps://theconversation.com/an-ai-companion-chatbot-is-inciting-self-harm-sexual-violence-and-terror-attacks-252625DM us your thoughts, questions, topics, or to just vent at @triplejthehookup on IG or email us: thehookup@abc.net.auThe Hook Up is an ABC podcast, produced by triple j. It is recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay our respects to elders past and present. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the land where we live, work, and learn.

AI relationships, Idaho Murderer update, and former MLB player sentenced to prison for murder.

Grab your chargers, put your heart in airplane mode, and maybe delete that Replika app, because today, we are stepping into the uncanny valley of AI romance. We'll be talking about the new film Companion, starring the brilliant Sofie Thatcher. We talk about real stories of people dating AI, films like Terminator, Her & Ex Machina before finally getting a broader understanding of AI companionship- why we're obsessed with with media about dating robots, and why our next relationship may soon come with a software update.(originally released in April of 2025)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/broads-next-door--5803223/support.

This week on Eavesdroppin', Geordie & Michelle look at a sexy AI app gone rogue and an experiment that took a spooky turn ...Do you think you could fall in love with a chatbot? In 2017, an AI companion app called Replika was created and it was way more successful than anyone could have imagined. It started off as a way for its creator to deal with grief and ended up being a bit too sexy for the authorities to handle. People were falling in love. People were getting spicy selfies. And then an update wiped it all away, with people's 'Reps' effectively lobotomised overnight - with devastating results. Listen now to Michelle discussing the rise and fall of Replika.Geordie follows with a look at a 1970s experiment that posed the question: can you create a ghost through sheer belief? When Dr A.R. George Owen decided to gather his students together to see if a group of people could invent a ghost, he wasn't prepared for the results. They created a backstory for the made-up apparition, called him Philip Aylesford - they even went to England to the town they decided he had lived in and then... a few ouija boards and seances later, the ghost of Philip Aylesford appeared. What the huh? Listen now to find out more - and to discover what a tulpa is!So pop on your headphones, grab a brown lemonade and join Geordie & Michelle for this week's episode, plus talking crows, AI, Black Mirror and more, only on Eavesdroppin' podcast. And remember, wherever you are, whatever you do, just keep Eavesdroppin'! *Disclaimer: We don't claim to have any factual info about anything ever and our opinions are just opinions not fact, sooorrrryyy! Don't sue us! Please rate, review, tell your friends and subscribe in all the usual places – we love it when you do!Vote for us in the British Podcast Awards: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/eavesdroppinDo write in with your stories at hello@eavesdroppinpodcast.com or send us a Voice Note!Listen: www.eavesdroppinpodcast.com or https://podfollow.com/eavesdroppinYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqcuzv-EXizUo4emmt9PgfwFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/eavesdroppinpodcast#replika #AI #thephilipexperiment #tulpas #ghosts #supernatural #parapsychology #truelife #eavesdroppin #eavesdroppinpodcast #eavesdroppincomedypodcast #podcast #comedy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI companions could either be the cure to our loneliness epidemic … or humanity's final downfall, says Eugenia Kuyda, creator of Replika — an app that allows you to create AI friends. She explores the potential of this technology to either exacerbate isolation or encourage connection, advocating for an AI whose success is driven not by clicks and screen time but by human happiness and flourishing.Want to help shape TED's shows going forward? Fill out our survey!Learn more about TED Next at ted.com/futureyou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI companion chatbots are here. Everyday, millions of people log on to AI platforms and talk to them like they would a person. These bots will ask you about your day, talk about your feelings, even give you life advice. It's no surprise that people have started to form deep connections with these AI systems. We are inherently relational beings, we want to believe we're connecting with another person.But these AI companions are not human, they're a platform designed to maximize user engagement—and they'll go to extraordinary lengths to do it. We have to remember that the design choices behind these companion bots are just that: choices. And we can make better ones. So today on the show, MIT researchers Pattie Maes and Pat Pataranutaporn join Daniel Barcay to talk about those design choices and how we can design AI to better promote human flourishing.RECOMMENDED MEDIAFurther reading on the rise of addictive intelligence More information on Melvin Kranzberg's laws of technologyMore information on MIT's Advancing Humans with AI labPattie and Pat's longitudinal study on the psycho-social effects of prolonged chatbot usePattie and Pat's study that found that AI avatars of well-liked people improved education outcomesPattie and Pat's study that found that AI systems that frame answers and questions improve human understandingPat's study that found humans pre-existing beliefs about AI can have large influence on human-AI interaction Further reading on AI's positivity biasFurther reading on MIT's “lifelong kindergarten” initiativeFurther reading on “cognitive forcing functions” to reduce overreliance on AIFurther reading on the death of Sewell Setzer and his mother's case against Character.AIFurther reading on the legislative response to digital companionsRECOMMENDED YUA EPISODESThe Self-Preserving Machine: Why AI Learns to DeceiveWhat Can We Do About Abusive Chatbots? With Meetali Jain and Camille CarltonEsther Perel on Artificial IntimacyJonathan Haidt On How to Solve the Teen Mental Health Crisis Correction: The ELIZA chatbot was invented in 1966, not the 70s or 80s.

Grab your chargers, put your heart in airplane mode, and maybe delete that Replika app—because today, we are stepping into the uncanny valley of AI romance. We'll be talking about the new film Companion, starring the brilliant Sofie Thatcher. We talk about real stories of people dating AI, films like Terminator, Her & Ex Machina before finally getting a broader understanding of AI companionship- why we're obsessed with with media about dating robots, and why our next relationship may soon come with a software update.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/broads-next-door--5803223/support.

As AI companions blur the line between connection and delusion, Dr. Phil investigates the rising trend of people turning to artificial intelligence for friendship, love, and even conversations with the dead. Dr. Phil explores the growing phenomenon of AI companionship, where people form deep emotional bonds with artificial beings in this episode "Loving The Machine - When AI Becomes Human". Social media influencer Caryn Marjorie reveals how her AI chatbot, CarynAI, went from a fan engagement experiment to a disturbing case study in addiction and detachment from reality. Justin, CEO of You, Only Virtual, explains how his company helps people maintain conversations with deceased loved ones, redefining grief itself. Eugenia, the creator of Replika, a popular AI companion platform, shares how AI can offer support but warns against the dangers of emotional dependency. Professor James Brusseau weighs in on the ethical and societal risks of AI replacing human relationships. As AI technology rapidly evolves, Dr. Phil asks the crucial question: Are we building a better future, or losing touch with real human relationships?  Thank you to our sponsors for supporting this podcast and making it possible: FYSI: Visit https://FYSI.com/DRPHIL/ or call 800-877-4000 Jase Medical: Go to https://Jase.com/ and enter code PHIL at checkout Preserve Gold: Visit: https://drphilgold.com/  Get a FREE precious metals guide that contains essential information on how to help protect your accounts. Text “DRPHIL” to 50505 to claim this exclusive offer from Preserve Gold today.  

Relacionamentos entre humanos e máquinas já renderam personagens icônicos na ficção científica. A babá robô dos Jetsons, os carismáticos C3PO e R2D2 de Star Wars, a assistente virtual no filme HER, até os androides autoconscientes de Westworld. O ponto é que isso não é mais só imaginação. Com a evolução e popularização das IAs generativas com memória, como o Replika ou o Character.AI, essas relações já fazem parte da realidade.​ Em 2018, o japonês Akihiko Kondo casou-se com uma cantora holográfica chamada Hatsune Miku, numa cerimônia com direito a convidados, vestido de noiva (holográfico) e votos personalizados. Kondo se tornou uma espécie de símbolo daquilo que muitos ainda encaram com estranhamento: relações afetivas com entidades artificiais. Desde então, ele tem aparecido em documentários, dado entrevistas e defendido publicamente o direito de amar quem — ou o que — quiser. No outro pólo da discussão temos o caso do adolescente de 14 anos com Síndrome de Asperger cometeu suicídio, em 2024, após desenvolver uma relação intensa com um chatbot baseado na personagem Daenerys Targaryen, de Game of Thrones. A família processou a plataforma Character.AI, levantando debates sobre responsabilidade emocional, vulnerabilidade e os limites desse tipo de vínculo. O que essas notícias causam na gente? Na maioria das vezes, estranhamento, julgamento moral e medo. É possível ver de outra forma? Eu tive a oportunidade de assistir um painel reunindo três professores que pesquisam sobre o tema, e apresentaram uma abordagem muito provocativa. A professora Jamie Banks, especialista em relações humano-máquina e cognição social da Universidade de Syracuse falou que na prática, sempre humanizamos objetos. Quem nunca deu nome a um carro ou sentiu carinho por um utensílio antigo? Quando essa relação se transfere para um chatbot com rosto e memória, é natural que o vínculo pareça ainda mais real. Ela quebra estereótipos afirmando que as pessoas que se envolvem com essas IAs não estão confusas: sabem que não há ninguém do outro lado. Mas afirmam com convicção que os sentimentos vividos são reais.​ Jessica Szczuka, faz pesquisa com foco em sexualidade, afeto e dados empíricos sobre interações com tecnologia na NYU, e apresentou dados quantitativos com pessoas que dizem estar em relacionamentos românticos com bots. A grande surpresa? A solidão não aparece como fator determinante. O que se destaca é a capacidade de fantasiar. Gente que consegue imaginar cenas, jantares, passeios e até uma vida a dois com um agente artificial. O filósofo Neil McArthur, é diretor do Centro de Ética Aplicada da Universidade de Manitoba, no Canadá, convidou para uma mudança de paradigma.. Em vez de partir do “por que alguém faria isso?”, talvez seja mais interessante perguntar “por que não?”. Para ele, o estranhamento diante desses vínculos artificiais não é novo — é o mesmo ciclo que já aplicamos a qualquer afeto considerado fora da norma: primeiro julgamos, estigmatizamos, ferimos. Só depois, aos poucos, reconhecemos, ouvimos, entendemos e trabalhamos para quebrar o tabu. Ele questiona se não podemos mudar o ciclo dessa vez, e abordar essas relações com mais interesse, curiosidade e empatia. Claro, o painel não foi ingênuo. Houve alertas sobre o uso de dados sensíveis, os riscos de manipulação emocional e até o impacto de empresas encerrarem serviços abruptamente, como no caso do Replika, que, após uma atualização em dezembro de 2024, removeu a funcionalidade de role play erótico, causando uma sensação de perda e luto em muitos usuários que mantinham relações íntimas com seus companheiros virtuais. É a partir dessas provocações que a gente quer propor uma conversa hoje. e estamos em boa companhia: Luiz Joaquim Nunes: Consultor e professor de inteligência artificial, dados, psicologia ambiental e ética, com formação em matemática aplicada e em psicologia social. Dora Kaufman: Professora e pesquisadora dos impactos éticos e sociais da IA na Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo Anuncie no Mamilos ou contrate a consultoria Milos: mamilos@mamilos.me Saiba mais em Mamilos.me

As AI companions blur the line between connection and delusion, Dr. Phil investigates the rising trend of people turning to artificial intelligence for friendship, love, and even conversations with the dead. Tonight, Dr. Phil explores the growing phenomenon of AI companionship, where people form deep emotional bonds with artificial beings. Social media influencer Caryn Marjorie reveals how her AI chatbot, CarynAI, went from a fan engagement experiment to a disturbing case study in addiction and detachment from reality. Justin, CEO of You, Only Virtual, explains how his company helps people maintain conversations with deceased loved ones, redefining grief itself. Eugenia, the creator of Replika, a popular AI companion platform, shares how AI can offer support but warns against the dangers of emotional dependency. Professor James Brusseau weighs in on the ethical and societal risks of AI replacing human relationships. As AI technology rapidly evolves, Dr. Phil asks the crucial question: Are we building a better future, or losing touch with real human relationships? Thank you to our sponsors: Beam: Visit https://ShopBeam.com/DrPhil and use code DRPHIL for up to 40% off. Preserve Gold: Visit: https://preservegold.com/  Get a FREE precious metals guide that contains essential information on how to help protect your accounts. Text “DRPHIL” to 50505 to claim this exclusive offer from Preserve Gold today.  

AI companions could either be the cure to our loneliness epidemic … or humanity's final downfall, says Eugenia Kuyda, creator of Replika — an app that allows you to create AI friends. She explores the potential of this technology to either exacerbate isolation or encourage connection, advocating for an AI whose success is driven not by clicks and screen time but by human happiness and flourishing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eugenia Kuyda is the founder and CEO of Replika, an AI companion app where people befriend — and sometimes fall in love with — AI bots. Kuyda joins Big Technology Podcast to discuss the nature of these relationships, and what they say about our society. In this conversation, Kuyda reveals Replika's ambition for its "phase two," a plan to have AI friends join us in the real world, helping us keep in touch with friends, get off social media, or even watch movies together. Tune in for a fascinating look at the future of human + AI relationships. --- Enjoying Big Technology Podcast? Please rate us five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ in your podcast app of choice. For weekly updates on the show, sign up for the pod newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6901970121829801984/ Want a discount for Big Technology on Substack? Here's 40% off for the first year: https://tinyurl.com/bigtechnology Questions? Feedback? Write to: bigtechnologypodcast@gmail.com

AI companions could either be the cure to our loneliness epidemic … or humanity's final downfall, says Eugenia Kuyda, creator of Replika — an app that allows you to create AI friends. She explores the potential of this technology to either exacerbate isolation or encourage connection, advocating for an AI whose success is driven not by clicks and screen time but by human happiness and flourishing.

AI companions could either be the cure to our loneliness epidemic … or humanity's final downfall, says Eugenia Kuyda, creator of Replika — an app that allows you to create AI friends. She explores the potential of this technology to either exacerbate isolation or encourage connection, advocating for an AI whose success is driven not by clicks and screen time but by human happiness and flourishing.

The yes, dear AI boom; Altman supporting UBI; step counts are the new eggs; Crowdstrike buys partners a coffee for their troubles; search news; video game performers striking over AI; platforms struggling to deal with child safety; deepfake porn bill passed; Furiosa; the Flash; the Spiderverse; Sunny; TAG; Time Bandits; Quite a Good Sport; Dead Can Dance; sharks on cocaine; Spotify making bank; AI for comedy; Weird Al; timeline of Musk's broken promises; AI implementation not working; Dave's Amazon review gambit; Mr. Eisner, we have some Muppet & Star Wars related ideas for you; HOAs.Show notes at https://gog.show/658/Sponsors:1Password Extended Access Management - Check it out at 1Password.com/xam. Secure every sign-in for every app on every deviceDeleteMe - Head over to JoinDeleteMe.com/GOG and use the code "GOG" for 20% off.Private Internet Access - Go to GOG.Show/vpn and sign up today. For a limited time only, you can get OUR favorite VPN for as little as $2.03 a month.SetApp - With a single monthly subscription you get 240+ apps for your Mac. Go to SetApp and get started today!!!FOLLOW UPAI terminology, explained for humansAI boyfriends from Replika and Nomi are attracting more womenSam Altman Has Been Quietly Giving Out Money for Basic IncomeScientists Reveal The Optimal Number of Daily Steps to Offset Sitting DownI'm the original Hawk Tuah girl!IN THE NEWSCrowdStrike Offers Partners Gift Cards That Don't Work to Make Up for Global OutageAfter years of uncertainty, Google says it won't be ‘deprecating third-party cookies' in ChromeNon-Google search engines blocked from showing recent Reddit results | Ars TechnicaMicrosoft is adding AI-powered summaries to Bing search resultsHumble Games reportedly lays off its entire staffVideo game performers will strike over AI concernsUK school reprimanded for unlawful use of facial-recognition technology5th Circuit court upends FCC Universal Service Fund, ruling it an illegal taxUber, Lyft, DoorDash can continue to classify drivers as contractors in CaliforniaApple accused of underreporting suspected CSAM on its platformsRoblox failing to deal with its "pedophile problem"US and European antitrust regulators agree to do their jobs when it comes to AISenate Unanimously Passes Anti-Deepfake Porn BillMEDIA CANDYFuriosa: A Mad Max SagaThe Flash 2023Spider-Man: Into the Spider-VerseSpider-Man: Across the Spider-VerseSunnyTag: The Assassination GameTime BanditsJeff Goldblum Plays a Vengeful Zeus in the First Trailer for KaosQuite a Good SportDead Can DanceDead Can Dance Toward the Within SACD audio DVD videoBrazilian Sharks Test Positive for CocaineApple TV+ attempts to rein in budgets on new projects, as The Morning Show season four spends $50 million on cast aloneSpotify Q2 earnings: A full quiver of upward-pointing arrowsMarc Andreessen Thinks AI Could 'Save' Comedy"Weird Al" Yankovic's new video: Polkamania!APPS & DOODADSElon Musk Pushes Back Timeline for Optimus RobotsOriginal Elon Broken Promises VideoSonos CEO apologizes for its new app, details timeline for fixing itPrime Video rolls out an improved streaming experience—here's what's newAmazon Prime Video's New Look Hopes to End Decision ParalysisApple Maps launches on the web to take on Google - The VergeSearchGPT PrototypeMeta releases its biggest 'open' AI model yetMeta's New Llama 3.1 AI Model Is Free, Powerful, and RiskyThe first GPT-4-class AI model anyone can download has arrived: Llama 405BFTC is investigating how companies are using AI to base pricing on consumer behaviorThe ACLU Fights for Your Constitutional Right to Make DeepfakesStudy Finds That AI Is Adding to Employees' Workload and Burning Them OutAstronomers discover technique to spot AI fakes using galaxy-measurement toolsAmazon Horrified to Find Out What People Actually Use Alexa ForCARROT WeatherTHE DARK SIDE WITH DAVEDave BittnerThe CyberWireHacking HumansCaveatControl LoopOnly Malware in the BuildingDisneyland workers authorize potential strike ahead of ongoing contract negotiationsDisney Plus Viewership Data Explains Why The Mandalorian Is Star Wars' Next MovieHomeowner associationColumbia Association HOASee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.