Robot Replacement: The Horror of Artificial Intimacy

Are we (already) letting AI replace us? In this episode, I explore the growing cultural shift toward AI companionship, AI relationships, and emotional automation. Artificial intelligence is increasingly over-stepping into our world and now, even into roles once reserved for real human intimacy and connection.But this episode isn’t just about digital horror or even AI ethics or even the future of technology.It’s about language and how we’re using computer and robot terminology to describe human emotions and behavior: We “process” grief. We “download” information. We “optimize” relationships. We talk about burnout as "a system crash" and treat heartbreak like "corrupted data" to "file away" as a lesson for the future.  In the end I’m really wondering: as automation expands beyond labor and into love, what does that mean for human connection, empathy, and identity?Are we building machines to act more human, or are we training ourselves to feel less?*This episode contains MAJOR spoilers for:Companion (2025)M3GAN 2.0 (2025)💀💀Follow us on Instagram @spooky.scholars💀Join the ongoing conversation and LIVE salon each month at spookyscholars.com🖤Full show notes at patreon.com/spookyscholars