How AI Hacks Your Brain's Attachment System (with Zak Stein)

Researcher Zak Stein discusses how anthropomorphic AI can exploit human attachment systems, its psychological risks for children and adults, and ways to redesign education and cognitive security tools to protect relationships and human agency.

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Show Notes

Zak Stein is a researcher focused on child development, education, and existential risk. He joins the podcast to discuss the psychological harms of anthropomorphic AI. We examine attention and attachment hacking, AI companions for kids, loneliness, and cognitive atrophy. Our conversation also covers how we can preserve human relationships, redesign education, and build cognitive security tools that keep AI from undermining our humanity.

LINKS:

CHAPTERS:

(00:00) Episode Preview

(00:56) Education to existential risk

(03:03) Lessons from social media

(08:41) Attachment systems and AI

(18:42) AI companions and attachment

(27:23) Anthropomorphism and user disempowerment

(36:06) Cognitive atrophy and tools

(45:54) Children, toys, and attachment

(57:38) AI psychosis and selfhood

(01:10:31) Cognitive security and parenting