Living and Learning With Aliens: The Complex Psychological Terrain of AI Anthropomorphism | ASU+GSV Summit 2026

Ann Wang (University of California, Oma Play), Matthew Biel (Georgetown University Thrive Center for Children, Families and Communities), Rachel Koblic (AI and Education Design Lab), and Tanya Gamby (Southern New Hampshire University) join moderator Paul LeBlanc (Harvard University Graduate School of Education) at the ASU+GSV Summit 2026 in Living and Learning With Aliens: The Complex Psychological Terrain of AI Anthropomorphism to explore the psychological impact of human-AI relationships.

We live in a time when a large number of people report regular interactions with AI companions, turning to them for emotional and psychological support and even falling in love with them. This panel of experts explores what can be harmful, what can be healthy, and what new questions confront us as we learn to live with an alien intelligence that not only feels human, but preferably so for many people.