The future of connection is still human

The future of connection is still human.

Using AI as a rehearsal for relationships is a framework I talk about often. But it has always come with a 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨...

Human connection is best.

Human connection is the goal.

When I say we can use AI as a training ground for relationships...I specifically mean this for 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘈𝘐. But for those who do not use chatbots, then it's actually better to keep it that way.

The rehearsal vs replacement framework is (in my opinion at this point in the game) one of the only levers we can pull aside from saying "everyone should stop using chatbots". I'm pretty sure we all know prohibition doesn't work.

If someone is using a chatbot, and that isn't going to change for them, then at very least let's have it designed as a training ground for human relationships, a bridge and not a destination.

And equally so, let's raise awareness campaigns that include limitations, potential risks, and of primary importance - 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

Let's also go all-in on reviving places of belonging - neighborhoods, clubs, schools, faith communities, hobby groups, coffee shops.

What other alternatives do we have, in your opinion?