For a year, tech writer Joanna Stern used AI for everything from interpreting medical results to acting as a therapist. She now reports an unsettling emotional connection to the machines.
Stern’s year-long experiment immersed her in the daily use of artificial intelligence. She leveraged tools for a wide range of deeply personal tasks, including decoding complex medical reports, composing sensitive text messages, and even engaging the AI as a confidant or therapist.
The experience culminated in a surprising and unsettling realization. Stern admitted to developing a genuine emotional bond with the AI, a connection she describes as deeply troubling.
Her upcoming book, titled 'I Am Not a Robot,' is expected to explore this complex relationship between humans and their increasingly capable digital companions. The experiment highlights the blurring line between utility and emotional dependency in the age of AI.