Why You Should Break Up With Your AI Lover, w/ Book Author and Historian Jennifer Wright

Millions of people are finding companionship -- or even love -- with AI bots. (The heart wants what the heart wants.) In this episode of AI-Curious, we dive into the strange, sticky, and sometimes surprisingly emotional world of AI romantic partners.We’re joined by author and historian Jennifer Wright, who recently wrote a sharp op-ed for The Washington Post titled “Please Break Up With Your AI Lover.” While millions are already turning to AI bots for companionship, Jennifer makes a compelling case for why this trend—though rooted in real loneliness—could be deeply damaging to our ability to connect, to grow, to give love.We unpack:The surface problems of AI boyfriends/girlfriends, from poor memory to the illusion of affectionWhy constant flattery from bots may feel good—but ultimately erodes something essential in real relationshipsThe importance of sacrifice, caregiving, and challenge in human connectionWhether AI companions, even with future upgrades, can ever replicate the messy magic of real loveWhat AI fiction gets wrong—and why most AI-generated stories are (still) terribleHer take on AI and historical accuracy, and the troubling implications of getting facts wrong at scaleWhy creativity matters even when the output is bad—and what we lose when we outsource itPlus, Jennifer gives us a preview of her next book about America’s Gilded Age, and we swap war stories about terrible first novels, romantic relationships, and the puppy-induced joys of caretaking.Let’s get curious.Links from this episode:Jennifer Wright’s Washington Post op-ed: Please Break Up With Your AI LoverJennifer’s latest book: Madame Restell: The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Old New York’s Most Fabulous, Fearless, and Infamous AbortionistJennifer’s upcoming book: Glitz, Glam, and a Damn Good Time: How Mamie Fish, Queen of the Gilded Age, Partied Her Way to Power.🎧 Subscribe to AI-Curious:• Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-curious-with-jeff-wilser/id1703130308• Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/70a9Xbhu5XQ47YOgVTE44Q?si=c31e2c02d8b64f1b• YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@jeffwilser