© 2026 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
DONATE
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

PBS News Hour

Critics doubt developers claiming AI can combat loneliness

Season 2024 Episode 206 | 9m 58s

There have been amazing advances in artificial intelligence with software and robots that listen and respond to human conversation with a kind of realism rarely seen before. That's both exciting and disturbing to experts about what it can mean for connection and loneliness. Paul Solman tried making some connections of his own.

Major corporate funding for the PBS News Hour is provided by BDO, BNSF, Consumer Cellular, American Cruise Lines, and Raymond James. Funding for the PBS NewsHour Weekend is provided by Consumer Cellular and Cunard Cruise Line. For a complete list of funders for the PBS NewsHour and PBS NewsHour weekend, click here.
Extras
Watch • 5:57
PBS News Hour
Test results create confusion around cyclosporiasis outbreak
Test results create more confusion around cyclosporiasis outbreak
Clip: S2026 E148 | 5:57
Watch • 7:10
PBS News Hour
The highlights and controversies of the 2026 World Cup
The highlights and controversies of the 2026 World Cup
Clip: S2026 E148 | 7:10
Watch • 0:47
PBS News Hour
Remembering PBS programming executive Sylvia Bugg
Remembering PBS programming executive Sylvia Bugg
Clip: S2026 E148 | 0:47
Watch • 6:25
PBS News Hour
Netanyahu government defies top court as election nears
Netanyahu government defies court, raising constitutional crisis fears as election nears
Clip: S2026 E148 | 6:25
Watch • 6:26
PBS News Hour
News Wrap: Andy Burnham becomes Britain's new prime minister
News Wrap: Andy Burnham becomes Britain's 7th prime minister in a decade
Clip: S2026 E148 | 6:26
Watch • 8:12
PBS News Hour
Tamara Keith and Jasmine Wright on fallout of Trump address
Tamara Keith and Jasmine Wright on the political fallout of Trump's address
Clip: S2026 E148 | 8:12
Watch • 5:58
PBS News Hour
Ex-Jordanian foreign minister says war hurting U.S. allies
Iran war hurting U.S. allies in region, former Jordanian foreign minister says
Clip: S2026 E148 | 5:58
Watch • 8:04
PBS News Hour
Deadly ICE shootings renew scrutiny of recruitment, training
Deadly shootings by ICE officers renew scrutiny of recruitment and training
Clip: S2026 E148 | 8:04
Watch • 4:08
PBS News Hour
U.S. strikes Iran after deaths of service members
U.S. launches more strikes on Iran after deaths of service members
Clip: S2026 E148 | 4:08
Watch • 57:46
PBS News Hour
July 20, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
July 20, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
Episode: S2026 E148 | 57:46