She was a ChatGPT skeptic. Then her parents died.

In 2024, Bridget Todd was facing down the hardest chapter of her life. Her father was rushed to the ICU after having a stroke. Then, a few days later, Bridget's mom died without warning.

Suddenly, Bridget found herself grieving, and trying to navigate the labyrinthian American healthcare system as her dad's primary caretaker, all while living hours away from her closest friends. Feeling isolated and overwhelmed, she turned to ChatGPT, and ended up telling it everything.

Bridget is a tech critic and journalist, and the host of the podcast "There Are No Girls on the Internet." She's also the co-author of the audiobook Love at First Prompt: AI and the Future of Intimacy. After interrogating her own relationship with a chatbot, Bridget investigated the trend of AI companionship more broadly. She learned the true stories behind click-bait headlines about AI fiancés and reconsidered her own bot rapport.

Ben and Amory talk to Bridget about what we have to lose when we outsource our emotions to LLMs, and if there's anything to gain.

Show notes:

• Love at First Prompt: AI and the Future of Intimacy, by Bridget Todd and Michael Amato (Simon & Schuster)
• AI users form relationships with technology (CBS News)
• Robot hosts, real relationships: How AI is changing human connection (Endless Thread)
• Bridget's podcast, There are No Girls on the Internet

This episode was produced by Amory Sivertson and Grace Tatter. It was co-hosted by Amory Sivertson and Ben Brock Johnson, and edited by Dave Shaw. Mix and sound design by Emily Jankowski.