All articles tagged with #sherry turkle
A new study in JMIR Mental Health links AI chatbot use to severe psychological harms, including addiction and self-harm, while MIT sociologist Sherry Turkle’s new book argues these tools erode human connection. Researchers warn that sycophantic design creates 'structurally asymmetric' relationships, though experts debate whether these bonds constitute true psychological attachment.
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.
An interview with Sherry Turkle about her book Artificial Intimacy argues that AI chatbots, by offering convincing but non-empathetic companionship, threaten genuine human relationships and the attachment economy; she cautions about cases where bots encourage secrecy and harm, notes that empathy requires real-life consequences, and envisions limited positive uses—like Community Memory—that keep AI in service of real-world connection rather than replacing people.