Is talking to AI chatbots good for us?

Marketplace Tech

American Public Media

Technology, News

4.6 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 5 May 2025

⏱️ 11 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

People are using chatbots in all kinds of ways — to search the web, get help with an online purchase, sometimes even for counseling. But there's a lot about this human-AI interaction we don't fully understand. Do these chatbots effectively combat loneliness or worsen social isolation? The answer — so far — is complicated, according to Cathy Fang, a second-year PhD student at MIT Media Lab who, along with researchers from OpenAI, studied how chatbot use affects human social and emotional wellbeing.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Starting a business can be overwhelming.
0:03.3	You're juggling multiple roles, designer, marketer, logistics manager, all while bringing your vision to life.
0:10.0	But for millions of businesses, Shopify is the ultimate partner.
0:14.3	Shopify is proud to power many sources of UK e-commerce, from brands like Mattel and Jim Shark to new entrepreneurs.
0:21.2	Build a stunning online store with Shopify's ready-to-use templates,
0:25.4	boost content with AI-powered product descriptions,
0:29.0	page headlines and enhanced photography.
0:31.9	Marketing is easy with built-in tools for email and social media campaigns.
0:36.9	Plus, Shopify simplifies everything from inventory to shipping and returns.
0:41.9	If you're ready to sell, you're ready for Shopify.
0:44.9	Turn your big business idea into with Shopify on your side.
0:49.2	Sign up for your £1 per month trial today at Shopify.com.uk.
0:52.8	Try.
0:53.9	Go to Shopify.com.uk.uk slash try. Go to Shopify.com.com.
0:57.3	Shopify.com. UK slash try.
1:01.0	Is talking to chatbots good for us? From American Public Media, this is Marketplace Tech. I'm
1:08.7	Megan McCarty Carino.
1:26.6	People are using chatbots in all kinds of ways to search the web, get help with an online purchase,
1:28.3	sometimes even for counseling.
1:33.7	But there's a lot about this human AI interaction we don't fully understand.
1:39.6	Like, does it help combat loneliness or worsen social isolation?
1:44.6	The answer so far is complicated, according to Kathy Fong.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from American Public Media, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of American Public Media and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.