On October 14, All Souls Church in New York City will host a live conversation between MIT professor and bestselling author Sherry Turkle and mindfulness pioneer Jon Kabat-Zinn. The event celebrates the publication of Turkle's new book, Artificial Intimacy: Who We Become When We Talk to Machines, released September 29 by Little, Brown and Company. This marks the third conversation between the two thinkers, produced by Steve Stein and WisdomFeed Publishing, following two online episodes of the StreetSmart Wisdom Podcast.
The significance of this event lies in its timing and focus. As artificial intelligence rapidly evolves beyond mere information processing and productivity tools, it increasingly encroaches on deeply human territories: companionship, empathy, advice, loneliness, and relationships. Turkle's book examines what happens when people turn to machines not just for tasks but for emotional connection once reserved for human bonds. This conversation brings together Turkle's decades of research on technology and human identity with Kabat-Zinn's expertise in mindfulness and presence, offering a critical exploration of how technology is reshaping the essence of human interaction.
During their first StreetSmart Wisdom conversation, Turkle described the urgency of the moment: "This is a break the glass moment. How are we going to govern? How are we going to think about the challenge we face?" Kabat-Zinn framed the same concern through the lens of analog humanity: "What is happening now is the convergence of the analog and the digital in such a way that we had best... realize the full dimensionality and potential of the analog world before... we lose it to... fake empathy from machines." These questions are central to Turkle's new book, which probes whether pretend empathy from machines is sufficient and how humans can maintain real empathy.
The October 14 event will be held in person at All Souls Church, 1157 Lexington Avenue, and will also be livestreamed. It represents a unique opportunity for the public to engage with these pressing issues directly. Turkle will sign copies of Artificial Intimacy following the program. For information and registration, visit https://wisdomfeed.thrivecart.com/artificial-intimacy/.
WisdomFeed Publishing extends special thanks to All Souls for opening its sanctuary to this conversation and the New York community. By bringing Turkle and Kabat-Zinn together in person, the event aims to further WisdomFeed's mission of taking ancient ideas down to street level, fostering a deeper understanding of how technology and humanity intersect. As AI continues to permeate daily life, this dialogue underscores the importance of mindful awareness and critical reflection on the machines we invite into our emotional lives.
