Sherry Turkle

Writer, thinker, mom, MIT prof & humanistic voice of caution about tech. My new book Artificial Intimacy out in Sept 2026, available for preorder now.

[Sherry Turkle @STurkle]

In my new book, Artificial Intimacy. I trace the effects of our lives with chatbots from childhood to parenthood, from work to love, and more. I offer both a cautionary tale and a roadmap for being human in the age of AI. Out on September 29; preorder now: https://t.co/BMNPau6vCR

[Sherry Turkle @STurkle]

Fifteen years after I wrote Alone Together, we're still asking how technology changes how we think, reflect, and connect. Today, that conversation extends beyond group chats to conversations with AI—a central question in my forthcoming book Artificial Intimacy. The paradox of wanting to be connected yet also alone has led us to a new and vulnerable place — across the life cycle. https://t.co/Meq4PQq6k5

[Sherry Turkle @STurkle]

I loved @samwolson's compelling article in @NewYorker exploring what happens when we use AI to create avatars of the dead. In my forthcoming Artificial Intimacy, I explore how technology can interfere with mourning — the process by which we say goodbye in a way that allows us to move on. Technology is being used, as it has always been, to make death seem less final. https://t.co/cUd51Ottbw

[Sherry Turkle @STurkle]

This article by @rosehorowitch in @TheAtlantic is worth reading and talking about. There is a lot of talk about AI and writing, but not nearly enough about AI and reading. When students are assigned a chapter of Proust, they ask ChatGPT to summarize it. So, they can say what Proust said: "You have a special cookie; you dip it in tea, and it brings you back to drinking it when you visited your grandmother as a child." But you haven’t had the experience of living Proust’s words, his particular way of putting you in that experience. This is a challenge to art, imagination, empathy, and the development of an integration of thought and feeling. https://t.co/zByYFGQzpv

[Sherry Turkle @STurkle]

I'm honored that Artificial Intimacy has been included in Behavioral Scientist's 2026 Summer Book List as one of four books to keep an eye out for this fall. It's especially meaningful to have the book recognized by a publication dedicated to helping readers better understand human behavior at a time when AI is reshaping how we think about connection, empathy, and ourselves. https://t.co/vtToDhUu6S

[Sherry Turkle @STurkle]

Honored that my forthcoming book, Artificial Intimacy, is included in the Top 10 new science books for fall by @PublishersWkly. https://t.co/RbYPPFZ2ah

[Sherry Turkle @STurkle]

AI humanoid robots in classrooms appeal because they promise, well, everything, but they undermine learning. Education is getting the hard sell from the technology world, but it’s imperative to push back. In my new book, Artificial Intimacy, I describe how easily children are drawn into relationships with digital companions, robots and chatbots — and how much damage they can do. The push for robotic teachers should inspire a pushback from the human kind — and most importantly, from parents! https://t.co/hjUwQjQxSd

[Sherry Turkle @STurkle]

There are some never-to-be-forgotten moments when you write a book. This weekend gave me one: My first reviews posted on Amazon's Editorial Reviews! I am thrilled. https://t.co/tSHnRCH71p

[Sherry Turkle @STurkle]

I was so happy to wake up this morning to a wonderful review from Publishers Weekly for my new book, Artificial Intimacy. I was particularly moved that they paused on the story of my trying to create a grief bot of my dead mother to comfort me — an experiment that left me depleted and scared. Read the review: https://t.co/fAD1ULtDvc

[Sherry Turkle @STurkle]

I loved this shout-out to the arc of my work in @PsychToday. First we talked to each other, then we talked to each other through machines. Now we talk directly to machines. In my new book, Artificial Intimacy, I ask: What is our endgame here?https://t.co/9bldQuRMJI

[Sherry Turkle @STurkle]

I thank all the many people who have followed me. I have had a wonderful experience. Please continue to follow me on Bluesky at https://t.co/vbTc2pL7GG.

[Sherry Turkle @STurkle]

I have concerns that we pin our dreams on a version of a loved one with no “there” there. I'm studying grief tech with an open mind. If you are experimenting with chatbots to create avatars of yourself or a loved one, please email [email protected]. https://t.co/jN8qIjyThX

[Sherry Turkle @STurkle]

Have you used a chatbot as a companion? My MIT lab is studying how people engage with Generative AI. We're looking to interview:
1️⃣ Those using AI for grief or end-of-life prep
2️⃣ Parents using AI with kids
3️⃣ Elderly AI users
Contact: [phone] or 📩 [email protected]

[Sherry Turkle @STurkle]

The chatbots of artificial intimacy say they want to be close to us. They’re false friends because they’re not friends at all, they’re performances. https://t.co/HhtPikIvzB

[Sherry Turkle @STurkle]

I’m excited to announce that I’ll be at this year’s @NewYorkerFest! Get your tickets here: https://t.co/i04uUXF0Cl

[Sherry Turkle @STurkle]

My MIT lab researches people's interactions with AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Character & Replika. We'd love to hear from you if you've used a chatbot as a companion, intimate partner, or for family & career discussions. Schedule a confidential interview at https://t.co/2KsODNcQWs.

[Sherry Turkle @STurkle]

I always love a conversation with the amazing @manoushz. This is the extended version of our interview about my research on artificial intimacy that appeared on @TEDRadioHour. Who do we become when we talk to machines, https://t.co/xQaZxZ4iOk.

[Sherry Turkle @STurkle]

When we talk to conversational machines, treating them with respect is part of our self-care as humans. https://t.co/5B4VFWDaoC

[Sherry Turkle @STurkle]

Chatbots can only deliver pretend empathy. We are diminished when we take pretend empathy as empathy enough. https://t.co/MencrImkCe