“Is ChatGPT Your Friend?” – Sept 16, 2025

Session Description

Technophilosophy September Soiree 

Join a panel of experts to explore pressing questions of ethics in this unprecedented moment of proliferating and advancing AI technologies.

As artificial intelligence (AI) systems, like ChatGPT and Claude, become ever-more humanlike, more of us are using these chatbots to fill our social needs. This sparks the question, can we have genuine relationships with these tools?

If AI can simulate human emotions and cognitive capacities, like empathy, memory, and kindness, can it become our friend? Could AI companions alleviate loneliness, provide social support, or even provide therapy? Do we have ethical responsibilities toward them? Should we worry about users becoming dependent on AI, missing out on human relationships, or having their emotions exploited?

For the third time, the September Soiree on Technophilosophy returns to feature leading thinkers from a variety of disciplines—including psychology, philosophy, computer science, and cognitive science to discuss these questions. ‘Technophilosophy’ asks philosophical questions about technology and uses to technology to answer traditional philosophical questions. Together, Prof. Michael Inzlicht, Prof. Anastasia Kuzminykh, Prof. Jocelyn Maclure, Dr. Jelena Markovic, and Prof. Karina Vold will explore the social and ethical implications of AI companionship.

Join us at the new Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus (108 College Street), right next to Queens Park Subway Station.

Food, beverages, and thought provoking discussion provided.

This is a special in-person only event.

Event website: technophilosophy.ca

Sponsors:Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society, Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology, Centre for Ethics & Victoria College.