(HS 059502 Perel 2023) The Other AI: The Rise & Influence of Artificial Intimacy

Course overview

The more our lives are guided by predictive technology, the less we are able to cope with the natural uncertainties of life. And no where is there more uncertainty in our day to day lives than in our relationships meeting new people, developing friendships, and trusting intimate partnerships all require facing ambiguity and uncertainty. Many are choosing to dis-engage to avoid this anxiety and may miss out on the richness that comes from deep and meaningful relationships. In this session, well explore: The connection between the unprecedented rise of anxiety with the fact that we don't get the practice of living with ambiguity, ambivalence, and the unknown. The collateral damage and consequences of technological progress on our human relationships How predictive technologies are affecting everything from our expectations to our sense of curiosity, to our ability to tolerate friction How, by eradicating friction, people find themselves unable to handle disagreement and how this leads to increased polarization