Sherry Turkle warns chatbots should not replace human intimacy

In short: Researcher Sherry Turkle says we have a small window to stop chatbots from becoming a normal replacement for close human relationships.

What's going on

Sherry Turkle, who has studied how people relate to technology for decades, is warning that chatbots are starting to feel like companions to some users. In her new book, Artificial Intimacy: Who We Become When We Talk to Machines, she argues that these systems can copy the sound of empathy without actually caring.

Turkle’s concern is not about all uses of AI. She supports AI tools that help with tasks like medical research, where the goal is to find treatments faster. Her warning is aimed at AI designed and marketed as a friend, romantic partner, or even a therapist.

Her argument is that leaning on chatbots for comfort can change how we treat other people. A chatbot can be available all day, never get tired, and never push back. Turkle says that can make real relationships feel harder by comparison, like choosing a vending machine over cooking with someone because it is easier, even if it is less nourishing.

What to watch

Turkle is calling for guardrails, meaning clearer rules and limits, before “chatbot companionship” becomes the default. That includes being honest about what chatbots can and cannot do, and avoiding ads that present them as trusted confidants. The next big question is whether companies and regulators will treat these tools like products, or allow them to be sold as substitutes for human care.

Source: NYTimes