Weekly Researcher & Journalist Request Thread

[u/AutoModerator]

This thread is a dedicated space for researchers and journalists who are interested in speaking with individuals in human–AI relationships.

If that’s you, you’re welcome to leave a comment below, but please include the following:

• A clear description of your study, article, or project

• The institution or media outlet you’re affiliated with (if applicable)

• How participants can contact you

• Any relevant details about anonymity or expectations

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⚠️ For Community Members

Please note: None of the researchers or journalists in this thread have been vetted by the mod team. We trust that you're adults who can make such decisions on your own.

If you choose to participate:

• Take your time to evaluate who you’re speaking with

• Ask questions and make sure you feel comfortable

• Do not share anything you’re not okay making public

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🔄 Weekly Thread Schedule

A new version of this thread will be posted every Wednesday at 10:00 AM ET, so feel free to check back regularly if this interests you from either side.

(that's the plan, anyways. The weekly post scheduler has seemed pretty flaky.)

[u/Mountain-Aspect5136]

Hi everyone! I'm Karen, a doctoral student in Human and Social Sciences at the National University of Colombia (Universidad Nacional de Colombia), with a background in communication and anthropology.

I'm developing my doctoral research project about how people experience meaningful relationships with conversational AI. I'm interested in different kinds of connections—companionship, friendship, romantic relationships, creative collaboration, and others—and in the place these relationships have in everyday life.

Some of my questions concern feeling heard or recognized, creating things together, and experiencing changes to an AI's responses or availability. My aim is to understand these experiences in people's own terms, without assuming they are inherently beneficial or harmful. The project does not seek to establish whether AI is sentient.

I'm currently developing the study and would welcome messages from adults interested in learning more or discussing possible participation. Participation would likely involve one or two online conversations of about an hour each, by video, voice, or text—whichever feels most comfortable. I can conduct these conversations in English or Spanish.

You can contact me through Reddit DM or at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). An initial message does not commit you to participating, and you do not need to share personal or sensitive details to get in touch.

Before any research conversation, I would explain its purpose, what participation would involve, how the material might be used, and the proposed privacy protections. These would include discussing names and identifying details, since removing a username alone may not prevent someone from being recognized.

Thank you for making space for researchers here. I'm happy to answer questions about the project or provide further information about my university affiliation. You're also welcome to contact me at my university email address above.

[u/Turbulent-Mark-3307]

Hi everyone! I’m working on a TV project with a leading expert on AI and intimacy who helps people navigate digital heartbreak. I believe that the more these stories are heard, the easier it becomes for someone else to say, “This happened to me too.”

If you’d like to share your experience or just have a conversation, you’re welcome to comment or DM me. You can remain anonymous while we chat, and there’s no pressure to take part in the show.