When Your Best Friend Is a Bot

Are AI companions making us more lonely?

In this episode of Promptly Speaking, Sara and Dan explore how AI is reshaping not only how we think - but how we feel.

From chatbots like Replika and Character.AI to Instagram’s synthetic influencers, they unpack what happens when emotional AI starts filling our social gaps - and what we lose when simulated empathy replaces real human friction.

This episode contains brief discussion of suicide and loneliness in the context of AI companionship. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 (U.S.) for free, confidential support.

💡 You’ll learn:

- How AI companions are changing our emotional landscape

- Why loneliness isn’t always a problem to fix - and what it can teach us

- The difference between empathy and sympathy (and why it matters)

- When it’s healthy to lean on AI for support - and when it’s time to log off

- Practical ways to stay grounded, connected, and human in an AI-driven world

🧠 Whether you’re curious about emotional AI or concerned about its impact, this conversation dives deep into the psychology of connection - and how to keep your humanity intact as technology gets more personal.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:27 – AI and Mental Health: The New Frontier

00:52 – The Role of AI Companions

01:54 – Loneliness and Technology

02:27 – The Importance of Human Connection

07:22 – Empathy vs. Sympathy

08:25 – The Impact of AI on Friendships

12:48 – Using AI for Emotional Support

14:48 – Final Thoughts and Takeaways

19:33 – Closing Remarks

Follow Sara & Dan:

Sara: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/saralynneroberts/⁠

Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danroberts27/

Email: ⁠[e-mail]