1KHO 930: The Friend Who Doesn't Care About You | Dr. Sherry Turkle, Artificial Intimacy

MIT professor and bestselling author Sherry Turkle has spent more than four decades studying our relationship with technology. Now she says we’ve entered a fundamentally new era: one where artificial intelligence isn’t just helping us think—it’s asking us to form relationships with it. In this conversation, Sherry joins Ginny to discuss her new book, Artificial Intimacy, and why AI companions, chatbots, and even AI-powered toys pose unique risks for children. They explore how outsourcing reading, writing, conversation, and emotional connection can “de-skill” young people, why solitude and boredom are essential for developing empathy, and what happens when friction-free relationships with machines begin replacing messy human ones. Sherry also explores AI friendship, grief technology, privacy, and why parents still have the power to push back. A timely conversation about protecting childhood, human connection, and the experiences that help us become fully human. Get Sherry's book here! ** A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them out below:  My Green Mattress: Visit www.mygreenmattress.com  and save 15% on your order during their Labor Day Sale. Plus, use code 1000hours for an additional $10 off your cart total when you purchase any mattress. BetterHelp: Visit  www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS  today to get 10% off your first month. Quince - Visit www.quince.com/outside and get free shipping and 365 day returns IXL Learning - Head to www.ixl.com/1000hours to get an exclusive 20% savings on your membership Whisker - Take care of your cats while taking an additional $50 off bundles with code 1000HOURS when you shop www.whisker.com/1000HOURS  Looking for guided adventures that will blow you away with their attention to detail? Head to www.exploreworldwide.com and tell them 1KHO sent you! Muzzle Sleep Tape - Go to MuzzleSleep.com and use code 1000HOURS for 10% off.  Zenni Optical- Go to www.zenni.com/podcast  and use code PODCAST15 for 15% off your first order, plus free shipping on all U.S. orders over $65. Active Skin Repair - Don’t forget to put this in your first aid kit! Visit ActiveSkinRepair.com and use the code 1000HOURS to save 20% on all Active Skin Repair products. Boll & Branch - Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/1000hours  with code 1000hours Ka’Chava - Go to https://kachava.com and use code 1000HOURS for 15% off your first order. Hey Polo - Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to heypolo.com/1000hours or use code 1000HOURS and get 70% off your first year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices