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The Friend Machine

By Shelley Irwin
Published May 29, 2026 at 10:45 AM EDT

Victoria Hetherington, discusses AI and the loneliness epidemic.

We discuss the rapidly evolving world of AI companionship, asking what it means to be alone, to be in love in a world where artificial intelligence is increasingly present. Author of The Friend Machine, Victoria Hetherington, discusses this and a loneliness epidemic.
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Shelley Irwin
Shelley Irwin is the host and producer for The Shelley Irwin Show, a news magazine talk-show format on the local NPR affiliate Monday through Friday. The show, broadcast at 9 a.m., features a wide variety of local and national news makers, plus special features.
See stories by Shelley Irwin
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