Are you trading human connection for a relationship with a machine?
In short: Millions of people are now turning to AI companions for intimacy. Sextech expert Bryony Cole examines the implications of this shift, offering a framework to ensure synthetic relationships enhance rather than replace the complexities of human connection.
Recorded at TEDNext 2025 on November 10, 2025, the talk addresses the growing trend of individuals forming intimate bonds with artificial intelligence. As these digital companions become a nightly presence for millions, Cole argues that we must critically evaluate what is lost when we prioritize machine interaction over human experience.
Cole provides a playbook for navigating synthetic companionship, centered on three specific questions designed to help users maintain their engagement with the messiness of real life. The goal is to use AI as a tool for preparation rather than a mechanism for avoidance.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The AI-Generated Intimacy Crisis | Bryony Cole | TED
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