Why AI Chatbots Are a Rival to the Family (with Michael Toscano)

Michael Toscano is a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Family Studies and Director of its Family First Technology Initiative. He joins the podcast to discuss family-centered AI policy. The conversation covers AI companions, self-harm risks, sexualized chatbots, education, smartphones in schools, and why "infinite patience" can harm children's growth. Toscano also explains Catholic social teaching, public pushback against rapid AI deployment, and why society-wide governance may be needed to keep technology accountable to families.

LINKS:

• Michael Toscano

CHAPTERS:

(00:00) Episode Preview

(01:12) Family centered AI

(09:54) Companion design harms

(17:23) Technology and family

(25:48) Society wide governance

(33:09) Catholic AI response

(39:44) Double movement politics

(49:36) Technology mythos challenged

(59:48) Competition and control

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