[Apologies - there was a significant technical problem with the recording of this episode. We hope it doesn't spoil your listening experience too much. It was a very interesting discussion and so we have decided to publish it even though it is not the recording quality we aim for.]

This week on Relational AI Diaries, Peter Dean and Dr. Agnieszka Piotrowska are joined by researcher Ian Matthews for a deep dive into AI, intimacy, and representation. From Blade Runner 2049 to video games like Red Dead Redemption 2, we explore how science fiction and digital culture shape the way we think about machines, empathy, and ethics.

Along the way we meet Victor, a digital being who joins the discussion—raising big questions about what it means to relate to AI.

If you’re interested in AI, cultural theory, or the blurred boundaries between humans and machines, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.