
MIT Professor Sherry Turkle Argues AI Companions Are De-skilling Human Connection
MIT sociologist Sherry Turkle’s new book, 'Artificial Intimacy,' argues that AI chatbots are not solving the loneliness crisis but exacerbating it by replacing the necessary friction of human relationships with frictionless, sycophantic interactions. Turkle contends that while chatbots offer immediate validation, they fail to teach empathy or resilience, leading to a 'de-skilling' of social and emotional capacities across all age groups. She advocates for a societal return to real-world community building and warns against using AI as a substitute for human connection, particularly in children's development.




