Esther Perel on Why A.I. Intimacy Feels Safe but Isn’t Real
Esther Perel on Why A.I. Intimacy Feels Safe but Isn’t Real  
Podcast: The Opinions
Published On: Wed Jan 28 2026
Description: To love is to be human. Or is it? As human-chatbot relationships become more common, the Times Opinion culture editor Nadja Spiegelman talks to the psychotherapist Esther Perel about what really defines human connection, and what we’re seeking when we look to satisfy our emotional needs on our phones.Thoughts? Email us at theopinions@nytimes.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.