AI chatbots have become so convincing at simulating empathy that an increasing number of people are choosing them as therapists, coaches, friends, life partners and erotic partners. This study of cultural linguistics examines intimate relationships with chatbots, using fictional characters with intimate problems or needs who interact with AI. Through these interactions, the contributors demonstrate the empathetic strategies employed by chatbots to convey compassion and understanding to users, while also highlighting instances where AI becomes uncontrollable. If major AI companies succeed in perfecting AI chatbots for human intimacy, as they have announced, a profound transformation of the culture of human intimacy will begin. With contributions by Lena Becker | Jona Böttcher | Johanna Brenner | Philip Dott | Christina Elschenbroich | Alisa Jasmin Engberg | Emily Haag | Hannah Floeck | Martin Helmes | Lea Krell | Wolf-Andreas Liebert | Mark Monecke | Helen Pfeffer | Vanessa Schlich | Lisa Katharina Storck | Sidney Wilshusen This title is also available as Open Access.
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Bibliographic data
Edition
1/2026
Copyright Year
2026
ISBN-Print
978-3-68900-535-1
ISBN-Online
978-3-68900-536-8
Publisher
Tectum, Baden-Baden
Series
Dynamiken der Vermittlung: Koblenzer Studien zur Germanistik
