Podcast HackEsther Perel: Why AI Intimacy Feels Safe but Isn’t RealBy The New York Times Opinions, Nadja Spiegelman, Esther Perel
In a Nutshell
In this January 2026 episode of The New York Times Opinions podcast, Nadja Spiegelman interviews author and psychotherapist Esther Perel about human-chatbot relationships, the truth about our emotional needs, and what defines human connection.
Favorite Quote
This is a business product. When you say you're falling in love with AI, you fall in love with a business product.
Esther Perel
Introduction
Is it possible to have a healthy relationship with an AI chatbot?
While many of us use AI for practical help in our work and lives, there is a rise in people using chatbots as affirmative friends or even partners.
On The Opinions podcast, host Nadja Spiegelman asks guests about their opinions on the latest headlines.
In this January 2026 episode, psychotherapist and relationship expert Esther Perel weighs in on human-chatbot relationships.
Perel explains the key differences between relationships with chatbots and with humans, and how we can use AI to improve our real-life connections.
Here are the 3 key insights from this Hack
- 1.Relationships between humans and chatbots lack embodiment, accountability, and ethical demands
- 2.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc volutpat, leo ut.
- 3.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc volutpat, leo ut.
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