Sleeping with Algorithms: Exploring Emotional Dependence on AI

​“Have you ever trauma-dumped on a chatbot at 2am?”

​“Is it weird if the algorithm feels… safe?”

​As AI companions and emotionally responsive chatbots become part of daily life, many people are finding themselves turning to algorithms for comfort, validation, or late-night support. Emotional reliance on generative AI is no longer a fringe behaviour — it’s becoming a genuine part of modern intimacy.

​Sleeping with Algorithms invites you to explore this phenomenon through an interdisciplinary lens. The evening begins with a talk by Joe Braidwood, Co-Founder of Yara AI, an initiative building ethical, memory-rich AI designed for human flourishing. Joe will discuss how emotionally intelligent AI is created, the dilemmas behind “caring” algorithms, and the risks and responsibilities that come with designing tools people may form bonds with.

​His talk will be followed by a guided panel discussion featuring experts in AI ethics, digital wellness, counselling, and clinical psychiatry. Together, we’ll unpack why humans form emotional attachments to AI, where healthy use becomes dependence, and how these technologies might reshape our relationships — with others and with ourselves.