How AI Chatbots Are 'Deskilling' Human Empathy
Sherry Turkle warns that AI chatbots are eroding human empathy skills—a societal shift practitioners need to understand.
Why it matters
As AI chatbots proliferate in customer service, mental health, and support roles, research suggests they may be atrophying human empathy capabilities. This matters to practitioners deploying conversational AI: the societal cost of 'deskilling' human connection is becoming a policy and hiring concern.
The key facts
7 to knowSherry Turkle's 'Artificial Intimacy: Who We Become When We Talk to Machines' releases September 29, 2026
Book argues AI chatbots reduce human empathy development and real relational skills
Topic: AI's impact on human workforce psychology and social capability
Sherry Turkle releasing 'Artificial Intimacy: Who We Become When We Talk to Machines' on September 29, 2026
Book argues AI chatbots contribute to 'deskilling' of human empathy
Author is prominent voice in AI-society discourse (sociologist, MIT scholar)
Topic: long-term cognitive and emotional effects of AI substitution in communication roles
Go to the source
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Publisher excerpt: Sherry Turkle's latest book, Artificial Intimacy: Who We Become When We Talk to Machines, comes out on September 29.