On October 14, MIT professor and bestselling author Sherry Turkle will join mindfulness pioneer Jon Kabat-Zinn at All Souls Church in New York City for a live conversation about Turkle's new book, Artificial Intimacy: Who We Become When We Talk to Machines. The event, produced by Steve Stein and WisdomFeed Publishing, marks the third conversation between the two thinkers and the first before a live audience, with in-person and livestream attendance available. Information and registration can be found at https://wisdomfeed.thrivecart.com/artificial-intimacy/.
Published September 29 by Little, Brown and Company, Artificial Intimacy examines what happens as artificial intelligence moves beyond information and productivity into the deeply human territory of companionship, empathy, advice, loneliness, and relationships. Turkle's book arrives at a moment when conversational AI is increasingly entering everyday life, and her central question—"is pretend empathy enough?"—challenges society to consider how real human connection can be preserved.
The significance of this event lies in its timing and its message. As AI systems become more sophisticated, they are not only performing tasks but also simulating emotional support and companionship. Turkle and Kabat-Zinn, each with decades of expertise—Turkle in the social studies of science and technology, Kabat-Zinn in mindfulness and awareness—will bring their unique perspectives to bear on this convergence. Their previous two conversations, as online episodes of the StreetSmart Wisdom Podcast, explored what happens as the analog world collides with the digital one. Now, by meeting in person at 80th Street and Lexington Avenue, they bring the conversation literally to street level, emphasizing the importance of embodied, face-to-face interaction.
During their first StreetSmart Wisdom conversation, Turkle described the urgency of the moment: "This is a break the glass moment. How are we going to govern? How are we going to think about the challenge we face?" Kabat-Zinn approached the same moment through the relationship between the digital world and our analog humanity: "What is happening now is the convergence of the analog and the digital in such a way that we had best... realize the full dimensionality and potential of the analog world before... we lose it to... fake empathy from machines." These concerns are at the heart of Turkle's new book, which examines what happens when people turn to machines not simply to accomplish tasks, but for forms of companionship, counsel, and emotional connection once associated with human relationships.
The event's implications extend beyond the book. It signals a growing cultural conversation about the ethical and psychological dimensions of AI. As machines become more adept at mimicking human empathy, questions arise about the authenticity of such interactions and their impact on our capacity for genuine connection. Turkle's and Kabat-Zinn's dialogue will likely prompt attendees and livestream viewers to reflect on how they navigate a world where artificial intimacy is increasingly available. By bringing these issues to a public forum, the event underscores the need for mindful engagement with technology, ensuring that the analog aspects of human life are not lost.
Following the program, Turkle will sign copies of Artificial Intimacy. WisdomFeed Publishing thanks All Souls for opening its sanctuary to this conversation and the New York community. The event is part of WisdomFeed's mission to take ancient ideas down to street level, creating live experiences at the intersection of technology and humanity. As AI continues to reshape how we relate to one another, this conversation offers a timely opportunity to consider what we value most in human connection.
