Hosted by Dr Tomasz Hollanek
About Dr. Tomasz Hollanek
Dr Tomasz Hollanek is an Assistant Research Professor at the Cambridge Institute for Technology and Humanity and an Affiliated Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Technology at the University of Cambridge. His work focuses on AI ethics, human-AI interaction, and critical design. He researches the societal impact of AI companions, including so-called griefbots, with his work featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Atlantic, among many others.
About the event
AI companions are no longer science fiction – they’re already being used to address loneliness and provide emotional support. But what happens when machines begin to simulate care, intimacy, or friendship?
This talk explores the opportunities and risks of these systems. We’ll look at the ethical questions they raise – from dependency to the impact on real human relationships – and consider what responsible design might look like in practice. We’ll also touch on emerging regulation, including the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, and what it means for those developing and using AI companions. Finally, the talk considers how these technologies might evolve – and how they can be shaped to support well-being without undermining genuine human connection.
