July 17, 2025: Finding New Friends — Robots and AI to the Rescue

Meetup is LIVE on our deck (weather-permitting), or in our LR (if cold, or rainy) in West Orange, NJ
We gather at 7:30 for 30 min of refreshments (and wine), and chit chat, and then spend 90 min in an informal, facilitated discussion based on the assigned podcasts
Please listen to all 4 podcasts below before the meetup (3 of 4 are very short) and if you sre super-motvated, listen to optional podcast #5
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loneliness is a big problem in our society in both the elderly and the young. Could AI and/or robots fill that loneliness gap?
<1> Is it possible to form a genuine relationship with a chatbot?
<2> Do you feel that an AI could offer emotional benefits, eg, to somebody:
++++ in a nursing home?
++++ with a terminal illness?
++++ introverted/shy?
++++ recovering from a bad breakup or the death of a spouse?
<3> Could an AI relationship help somebody who is socially awkward learn how to be in a human-to-human relationship?
<4> If somebody you knew well told you they had an AI friend, what
would you think? Could you ever imagine having an AI friend?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] TED
Can AI Companions Help Heal Loneliness (13 min)
AI companions could either be the cure to our loneliness epidemic … or humanity's final downfall, says Eugenia Kuyda, creator of Replika — an app that allows you to create AI friends. She explores the potential of this technology to either exacerbate isolation or encourage connection, advocating for an AI whose success is driven not by clicks and screen time but by human happiness and flourishing.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ted-talks-daily/id160904630?i=1000684471372

[2] Aspen Ideas to Go
Can Robots Curb Loneliness (12 min)
Robots as caregivers? Meet “Pepper,” a robot that can tell a joke, recognize emotions and help people remember special times in their lives. Rebekah Romberg, of Colorado Public Radio, guides us through this fascinating talk with Professor Arshia Khan of the University of Minnesota Duluth. She spoke at Aspen Ideas: Health.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aspen-ideas-to-go/id702896920?i=1000588563156

[3] The Assignment with Audie Cornish
AI in the time of Loneliness (32 min)
This week, the Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy addressed the epidemic of loneliness Americans are facing. As a way of combatting the feelings of isolation, Dr. Murthy laid out a six-pillar plan rooted in social connection. What's not mentioned in his plan... artificial intelligence or chatbots. But that hasn't stopped folks from turning to them in times of distress. In this episode, we explore the communities that are leaning on AI and chatbots for comfort and the ripple effects this could have on how we connect with one another.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-assignment-with-audie-cornish/id1653179609?i=1000611710424

[4] The Future Age
AI Meets Aging: the problems and pitfalls (18 min)
In this thought-provoking episode, host Zannat Reza explores the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and aging. Joined by experts Dr. Charlene Chu, assistant professor at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Nursing, and Stephen Johnston, founder of Fordcastle & Looking Forward, they delve into the practical applications of AI in improving the lives of older adults. Their expert insights highlight how AI can enhance healthcare delivery, from predicting conditions and managing medications to enabling independent living and international implementation and innovation.
However, the discussion doesn't shy away from the pitfalls, exploring how ageism creeps into the digital world, and what can be done to make sure AI is inclusive and as beneficial to older adults as it promises to be. We explore the ethical considerations of AI as well, the concept of digital resignation and consequences of unregulated AI data collection, who owns the data, controls it, and benefits from it. Through this engaging conversation, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the transformative power of AI and the importance of responsible and inclusive implementation.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-meets-aging-the-potential-and-pitfalls/id1680986177?i=1000620911313
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
OPTIONAL
[5] NO STUPID QUESTIONS
Can AI companions replace human connections (first 35 min only)
What happens when machines become funnier, kinder, and more empathetic than humans? Do robot therapists save lives?
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-stupid-questions/id1510056899?i=1000666401973
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For newbies (and we love new people/ new voices):
the street address will be sent to you ~3-7 days before the event (lots of street parking)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only sign up if you plan to show up (or risk being tarred and feathered in the town square).

• If you can't make it-- please change your RSVP from YES to NO as early as possible so that others whi might be waitlisted can still join
• $2 on-site for refreshments/cover the annual fees for the meetup site.