What does intimacy mean in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence?

This discussion brings together critical perspectives on the rise of AI companions, chatbots and other technologies that promise connection, care and even love. While these systems are often framed as solutions to loneliness or social isolation, the conversation pushes beyond this narrative to examine the political, economic and ethical dimensions that underpin them.

Moderator:

• Dr Zahra Stardust

Speakers:

• Micaela Mantegna
• Dianela Gahn

This is a RightsCon session hosted by Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters (SRHM), in collaboration with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), following the cancellation of RightsCon 2026.