Humankind is no stranger to technological shifts that reshape social connections. First, we gathered around a fire; then we connected villages on wheels; we printed all the news on paper; and lately we have been “posting” about everything and anything, all over the internet. Now, AI enters the room. But unlike past innovations, AI doesn’t just connect us to each other; it connects with us.

But what kind of relationship is this? A pet, a co-worker, a friend… or even a romantic partner? In this talk, we discuss the importance of understanding the strength of our AI ties. Whether it acts as a "weak tie" (a casual connection that provides new information) or develops into something more substantial, the consequences for our well-being and social network will be vastly different. More importantly, we must ask: once AI enters the room, does anyone leave? Does AI’s arrival into our daily lives push human connections aside or create space for new ones?

To answer these questions, we must map AI’s role in our social networks and measure its long-term impacts. This task requires a blend of empirical data and computational methods from many disciplines, which is why this talk is also an invitation to think together. This event will include a poster session accompanied by intriguing discussions with researchers Bianca Nowak, Fabian Albers, Anna Neumann and Paula Ebner. 

One thing is clear: AI is already a tie in our social network. The question is how we tame its role for the benefit of humanity. 

Programme

Bio Fabian Albers:

Fabian Albers is PhD Researcher at RC Trust & HUAM Group (Nils Köbis). Trained as an educational scientist, he researches trust in artificial intelligence within educational contexts, with a focus on the effects of AI-generated advice on teachers and the broader implications of AI use in education. Based at the Research Center for Trustworthy Data Science and Security, he combines perspectives from educational science, behavioral research, and AI ethics to better understand how humans make sense of — and place trust in — intelligent systems.

Bio Paula Ebner :

Paula is currently persuing her PhD at INTITEC. Her academic journey started with a bachelor´s degree in psychology at Maastricht University, which is where she first delved into sex-research, investigating the impact of sexual synchrony on sexual functioning. She stayed at Maastricht University, completing a research master´s in legal psychology. In 2023, Paula joined INTITEC, where she aims to merge her legal background with her research experience on sexual intimacy.

Bianca Nowak

Bianca is a postdoctoral researcher at the Human Understanding of Machines and Algorithms. Her work focuses on how people around the globe perceive and make sense of artificial intelligence (AI) in everyday life. I explore the factors that shape public understanding of AI - ranging from media influences to perceptions of machine agency and mind. However, I am particularly interested in the role of large language models (LLMs) in science communication, both as objects of public perception and as research tools for everyone.

Bio Anna Neumann

Anna is a second-year PhD student at the Compliant and Accountable Systems Group (led by Jat Singh) at the Research Center TRUST in Germany, examining how AI systems influence sociotechnical structures with a focus on responsible AI practices in algorithmic supply chains.