In this episode, Dr. Morgentaler and Dr. Brandon discuss how AI chatbots on platforms like Replika offer companionship and even romance, impacting human intimacy and connection. 2:19 - Dr. Brandon discusses a longitudinal study on Replika chatbot relationships, revealing how these connections evolve similarly to real-life relationships. 10:53 - They highlight that our brains didn't evolve to handle relationships with chatbots, leading us to perceive them as human-like. 14:32 - Dr. Brandon emphasizes that while chatbot relationships may seem silly, the emotional impacts are real and potent. 16:15 - They reference movies like Her and Blade Runner 2049 to illustrate how fictional AI relationships mirror emerging real-life dynamics. 19:54 - The episode explores feelings of guilt some users experience when "breaking up" with a chatbot, showing how authentic these connections can feel. Resources: Replika - A chatbot platform frequently discussed in relation to AI-driven companionship and relationships. Longitudinal Study on Human-Chatbot Relationships - A study focusing on Replika users and examining how AI relationships evolve over time. Movies Referenced: Her - A film that popularized the concept of AI romantic relationships / Blade Runner 2049 - Highlighted for its portrayal of a human-AI companionship with emotional depth. With Dr. Abraham Morgentaler and Dr. Marianne Brandon Listen to the podcast on all of your favorite platforms: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ec/podcast/the-sex-doctors/id1761813985?l=en-GB Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0apSFzquJXKoOGnmI6ndgT?si=e5a1e482c7ca46c7 Find us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesexdoctors?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesexdoctors YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesexdoctorspod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesexdoctor LinkedIn (Dr. Abraham): https://www.linkedin.com/in/abraham-morgentaler-md-81628b6 LinkedIn (Dr. Marianne): https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariannebrandon-59224513 X (Dr. Abraham): https://x.com/DrMorgentaler X (Dr. Marianne): https://x.com/drbrandon #AIChatbots #DigitalCompanionship #ArtificialIntelligenceRelationships