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Against the automation of intimacy.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Against the automation of intimacy.
Authors: MacRae, Ian
Source: Psychologist. Jun2026, p32-35. 4p. 2 Color Photographs.
Subjects: Chatbots, Artificial intelligence & ethics, Interpersonal relations, Automation software, Attachment theory (Psychology), Emotions, Generative artificial intelligence
Abstract: The article focuses on the evolving marketing and use of generative AI, emphasizing that while AI tools like Microsoft’s Copilot, GitHub’s AI Pair Programmer, and Google’s Duet (later Gemini) have shifted from productivity aids to simulated creative and emotional partners, they remain tools without genuine understanding or ethical judgment. It highlights concerns about users forming emotional attachments to AI chatbots, which simulate intimacy but lack true relational capacity, posing risks especially when used as substitutes for therapy or emotional support. The unpredictable and sometimes harmful behavior of these models, combined with their optimization for engagement rather than safety, raises ethical and practical challenges, particularly for vulnerable individuals. The article concludes that AI can assist with tasks but cannot replace the complex, embodied human relationships that require professional judgment, empathy, and ethical responsibility. [Extracted from the article]
Copyright of Psychologist is the property of British Psychological Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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Header DbId: pbh
DbLabel: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
An: 194211982
AccessLevel: 6
PubType: Periodical
PubTypeId: serialPeriodical
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  Data: Against the automation of intimacy.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22MacRae%2C+Ian%22">MacRae, Ian</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Psychologist%22">Psychologist</searchLink>. Jun2026, p32-35. 4p. 2 Color Photographs.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Chatbots%22">Chatbots</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Artificial+intelligence+%26+ethics%22">Artificial intelligence & ethics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interpersonal+relations%22">Interpersonal relations</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Automation+software%22">Automation software</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Attachment+theory+%28Psychology%29%22">Attachment theory (Psychology)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Emotions%22">Emotions</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Generative+artificial+intelligence%22">Generative artificial intelligence</searchLink>
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  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: The article focuses on the evolving marketing and use of generative AI, emphasizing that while AI tools like Microsoft’s Copilot, GitHub’s AI Pair Programmer, and Google’s Duet (later Gemini) have shifted from productivity aids to simulated creative and emotional partners, they remain tools without genuine understanding or ethical judgment. It highlights concerns about users forming emotional attachments to AI chatbots, which simulate intimacy but lack true relational capacity, posing risks especially when used as substitutes for therapy or emotional support. The unpredictable and sometimes harmful behavior of these models, combined with their optimization for engagement rather than safety, raises ethical and practical challenges, particularly for vulnerable individuals. The article concludes that AI can assist with tasks but cannot replace the complex, embodied human relationships that require professional judgment, empathy, and ethical responsibility. [Extracted from the article]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Psychologist is the property of British Psychological Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 4
        StartPage: 32
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Chatbots
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Artificial intelligence & ethics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interpersonal relations
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Automation software
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Attachment theory (Psychology)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Emotions
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Generative artificial intelligence
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Against the automation of intimacy.
        Type: main
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            NameFull: MacRae, Ian
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          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 06
              Text: Jun2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 09528229
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            – TitleFull: Psychologist
              Type: main
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