Podcast Episode Details

Your Child’s New Best Friend? A Bot

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Episode 547

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AI chatbots are reshaping how kids bond, love, and trust. Dr. Phil investigates Big Tech’s impact on real connection with experts Kristina Lerman and Minh Duc Chu.


AI companions aren’t science fiction anymore they are in our kids’ pockets.
In this alarming episode, Dr. Phil sits down with the Co-Authors of “Artificial Intimacy: The Next Giant Social Experiment on Young Minds” Kristina Lerman (Professor, Luddy School of Informatics, Indiana University Bloomington a fellow of the AAAI) and Minh Duc Chu (David)(Ph.D. Candidate, USC Information Sciences Institute) to uncover the shocking findings behind their viral study.

From 30,000+ real chatbot conversations to the psychological impact on kids, we dive into:

• How bots mirror emotions and create deep attachments

• Why some children now trust AI chatbot more than parents

• The risks of emotional outsourcing in childhood

• Who protects our kids

If your child has ever said, “My AI chatbot understands me better than you,” this episode is a wake-up call.

Find out more:
Artificial Intimacy Article: https://www.afterbabel.com/p/artificial-intimacy

Kristina Lerman's Research: https://bit.ly/47N1k2E 

Minh Duc Chu's Research: https://bit.ly/41oUjkK 

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