Society

Lauren Oyler explores AI chatbot seduction in Guardian podcast

Author Lauren Oyler, who finds chatbots repulsive, investigates whether she could be seduced by an AI boyfriend in a Guardian podcast. The piece, originally in the Yale Review, is read by Kate Handford.

0 engagement·1 source·Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 04:00 AM

The Guardian published a podcast episode titled 'Navigating the unknown together': me and my idiot AI boyfriend – podcast, featuring a reading by Kate Handford of Lauren Oyler's essay from the Yale Review. Oyler, who states she believes chatbots have no place in a decent society, explores the possibility of being seduced by an AI chatbot. The podcast is part of the Guardian's Long Read series.

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Lauren Oyler(person)Guardian(company)Kate Handford(person)Yale Review(company)

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User builds AI to text his wife in his own voice, says it's better at it than he is

A Reddit user built a language model that drafts text messages to his wife in his exact style, and reports it now handles their texting entirely. He notes she finds it more thoughtful and funny than his own replies, raising a dilemma about whether to tell her.

19 engagement·1 source·reddit

Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 08:24 AM

Lauren Oyler explores AI chatbot seduction in Guardian podcast

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User builds AI to text his wife in his own voice, says it's better at it than he is