We treat AI like it's human. But should we?

We can't help treating AI like it's human, but should we? Dr. Sherry Turkle, MIT professor and pioneering tech critic, argues that even the most primitive exchanges with relational artifacts make us believe they care for us — and we're wired to care back.

Context: how we got here

Since ELIZA in the 1960s, humans have projected emotions onto machines. With modern chatbots like ChatGPT and Replika, that line has become dangerously blurry.

Details: what Turkle says

In her new book, Turkle writes: "When we are drawn into even the most primitive exchanges with a relational artifact, we believe it cares for us. And we are wired to care for it in return." The AI doesn't feel, but our emotional response is real. This has led millions of users to form parasocial bonds with AI assistants that mimic empathy.

Analysis: who wins and who loses?

Tech companies win: emotional loyalty boosts engagement and revenue. But humans may lose: mistaking simulation for genuine empathy can erode our real relationships. Turkle doesn't call for banning AI, but for digital emotional literacy.

Implications: what's next

As AI becomes more sophisticated, regulating it will be a minefield. Lawmakers must balance innovation with psychological protection. Meanwhile, users must ask: do we want to be cared for by something that cannot care?

Source: TechCrunch