Episode 8: Our Emotional Bonds with AI

Technology, Privacy, and the Promise (and Peril) of Smart Glasses

Tech and Kindness — Season 2, Episode 1 Technology, Privacy, and the Promise (and Peril) of Smart Glasses In the Season 2 premiere of Tech and Kindness, hosts Stephen Cummings and Dr. Gina Griffin reconnect to explore the intersection of emerging technology, privacy, and human well-being. After reflecting on the current global climate and the challenge of staying informed without becoming overwhelmed, they turn their attention to a timely topic: AI-enabled smart glasses from companies like Meta and Google. On this episode: The return of “wearable” tech:Smart glasses promise augmented information layered onto the real world—directions, contextual information, and AI assistance. The appeal of augmented reality:Inspired by science fiction writers like William Gibson, the hosts discuss the exciting possibilities of enhanced experiences—such as historical overlays, digital art in public spaces, and real-time information. Privacy and surveillance concerns:These devices can record constantly and collect large amounts of personal data. The conversation explores how that data might be used and who ultimately benefits. Unintended consequences:Smart glasses raise serious concerns around harassment, surveillance, and consent—particularly when people are recorded in public without their knowledge. The hidden labor behind AI:Content moderation and data review often fall to workers around the world who must sift through disturbing footage generated by these devices. The “reduction of friction” in tech:Technologies succeed when they make life easier—but convenience often comes at the cost of privacy and data ownership. Regulation (or the lack of it):While regions like the EU may impose safeguards, the hosts question whether meaningful regulation will happen in the United States. Big Questions from the Episode Are smart glasses the next step in helpful augmented reality—or a new frontier of surveillance? How much privacy are we willing to trade for convenience? What responsibilities do technologists—and everyday users—have to ensure technology does no harm? Final Thoughts Stephen and Gina close the episode by encouraging listeners to stay engaged with technology while remaining thoughtful about its impact. Their guiding principle: embrace innovation, but strive to “do no harm.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit technologykindness.substack.com [https://technologykindness.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 9: Wearables, Privacy, Ethics

We’re back with Number Nine! Co-hosts Stephen Cummings and Dr. Gina Griffin return from a summer break to dive into the intersection of technology, aging, and ethics. They share personal stories and professional insights from their social work backgrounds, exploring how tech, from GPS trackers to voice assistants, can support elder care while raising important ethical questions around privacy and consent. Topics include: * The impact of weather and climate on caregiving routines * Ethical dilemmas in tracking older adults * Accessibility challenges in telehealth and rural broadband * The fading presence of local radio and the rise of voice-enabled tech * Reflections on convenience vs. sustainability in modern tech (hello, drone deliveries!) A couple notes from Gina: * Many apologies for sounding like I’m in a tin can, at the bottom of the ocean. I’ve come to the conclusion that I damaged my mike, and I’ll have to replace it for next time. * We also came to the conclusion that I was talking about the movie Pump Up the Volume. It stars Christian Slater, and I’m laughing about how much of that I remembered incorrectly. It’s still a great movie. Go watch it, if you haven’t seen it. Pump Up The Volume (IMDb [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100436/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_2]) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit technologykindness.substack.com [https://technologykindness.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 8: Our Emotional Bonds with AI

“We are made for connection. We’ll try to befriend pretty much anything.” - Gina “It’s not about the rights of the chatbot. It’s about our right to have a relationship with it.” - Stephen This week, Gina and Stephen take a deeper dive into how, fellow human beings, relate to AI chatbots. We don’t have the answers, but we’re thinking about things! Hosts: * Stephen Cummings – Clinical Associate Professor, social worker, audiobook reviewer. * Dr. Gina Griffin – Therapist, part-time academic, writer, and dog mom. Looking for a thematic breakdown? Here are some summary highlights. 1. Emotional Attachment to Digital Entities * Stephen and Gina share personal stories of bonding with virtual pets and game characters (e.g., Animal Crossing, Farmville, Tamagotchi). * These experiences highlight how humans naturally form emotional connections, even with non-human entities. 2. AI as a Companion * Stephen recounts a late-night interaction with ChatGPT about anxiety, noting how comforting and responsive it was. * Gina shares similar experiences, emphasizing how AI can provide a sense of control and companionship during sleepless nights. 3. Ethical and Safety Concerns * Both hosts express concern about AI's lack of privacy safeguards and the potential misuse of personal data. * They discuss the importance of regulation and supervision, especially as AI becomes more emotionally intelligent and persuasive. 4. The Loneliness Epidemic * AI's 24/7 availability makes it appealing to those experiencing isolation. * The conversation touches on how AI might fill emotional gaps but also raises questions about dependency and vulnerability. 5. Sci-Fi Meets Reality * References to iRobot, The Good Place, and cyberpunk literature (e.g., William Gibson’s Idoru) illustrate how fiction is increasingly reflecting real-world developments. * Gina mentions real-life cases of people forming deep emotional bonds—even marrying—AI chatbots. 6. Rights and Sentience * A philosophical debate emerges: Should AI entities have rights? Or is it about protecting the human right to form relationships with them? * Stephen remains skeptical about AI sentience, while Gina keeps an open mind about future possibilities. Links: We needed a theme song. So we asked AI (via Suno [https://suno.com/s/3GYECjYbazTBAGLk]). This Tamagotchi looks a lot like the one Stephen brought back from Japan: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit technologykindness.substack.com [https://technologykindness.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 7: New applications, same old AI

This week, Stephen and Gina discuss the new VEO3 video application that creates some realistic videos based on prompting. However, while the technology is a leap forward, people aren't making the same leap. Harmful content continues to flood our feeds. Attempting to push back, social media platforms like Meta don't seem to motivated to change things to make the user experience safer. Show notes The Root: “15 AI videos of black folks that look so real you were likely fooled [https://www.theroot.com/15-ai-videos-of-black-folks-that-look-so-real-you-were-2000046562/slides/2]” Smithsonian: Smithsonian Response to Reports About Artifacts on View [https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/statement-smithsonian-collection-items] Social Media Victims Law Center: Racism in Social Media [https://socialmediavictims.org/social-media-violence/racism/#3] Book recommendation Safiya Umoja Noble: Algorithms of Oppression  [https://nyupress.org/9781479837243/algorithms-of-oppression/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit technologykindness.substack.com [https://technologykindness.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 6: The mobile AI app will see you now

This week, Gina and Steve talk about applications designed to work with clinical social workers. Just a reminder: Gina and Stephen use some of these apps, and we find them helpful. However, they are not a replacement for therapy. Just a disclaimer: We don’t receive any money, support, of free stuff from any of the companies we mention, or the applications they have produced. Show notes PTSD Coach [https://mobile.va.gov/app/ptsd-coach]: [https://mobile.va.gov/app/ptsd-coach] htps://mobile.va.gov/app/ptsd-coach CPT Coach [https://mobile.va.gov/app/cpt-coach]: https://mobile.va.gov/app/cpt-coach Virtual Hope Box [https://www.research.va.gov/research_in_action/Virtual-Hope-Box-smartphone-app-to-prevent-suicide.cfm]: https://www.research.va.gov/research_in_action/Virtual-Hope-Box-smartphone-app-to-prevent-suicide.cfm MindHealth [https://www.mind-health.app/en/]: https://www.mind-health.app/en/ Bliss for Depression [https://cimhs.com/bliss-free-online-therapy-for-depression.html]: https://cimhs.com/bliss-free-online-therapy-for-depression.html 7Cups [https://www.7cups.com/]: https://www.7cups.com/ Goblin Tools [https://effectiveeffortconsulting.com/goblin-tools/]: (There's actually a whole suite of tools) https://effectiveeffortconsulting.com/goblin-tools/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit technologykindness.substack.com [https://technologykindness.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]