HumanConnections.AI
Designing AI systems for social connection and human flourishing
HumanConnections.AI, a program of Noēsis Collaborative, is bringing together product developers, researchers, and investors to address a thorny question: “How might we design AI systems to support close social relationships and human flourishing?”
Noēsis Collaborative works with like-minded philanthropic donors to align AI technology with human flourishing. Our programs, like HumanConnections.AI, combine the work of our Institute, Forum, and Labs to bridge disciplines, recover timeless wisdom, and build practical solutions that ensure AI technology serves the soul of human civilization.
The Challenge and the Opportunity
It is becoming well-known that our society is struggling with a decline in social connections and we know empirically that this has negative implications for our health, well-being, longevity, and prosperity.
Millions of lonely and isolated people are starting to use AI companions, often spending hours a day, to address their fundamental need for social connection and belonging.
We can't understand the implications of this trend if we can't collaborate across our silos.
That's why the HumanConnections.AI program exists—to bring together product developers, researchers, and investors who are shaping this new frontier.
Public, private, and social institutions failed to meet the moment on social media, and we must get it right with AI.
Leading collective action to repair the social fabric of democratic societies—and avoiding exponential damage—will require shared strategies for understanding and evaluating how new technologies like AI companions will impact human flourishing on both individual and societal levels.
Participating Organizations
Eugenia Keyuda, CEO of Replika, speaking with Dr. Sherry Turkle, Abby Rockefeller Mauzé Professor of the Social Studies of Science and Technology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at the HumanConnections.AI Salon on October 8th, 2024.
The Salon
Talk of AI seems to be everywhere these days. If you are a technologist or an investor, the tone of the conversation is likely to be boom. If you are a researcher or writer in the social fields, its likely to be doom.
What has been missing is a more practical dialogue between technologists, investors, and researchers about how we actually make AI work for human flourishing.
This is extremely important as we navigate a completely new territory for humanity: AI and human relationships.
To close the gap between industry and researchers, we (The Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University and Preston-Werner Ventures) hosted the HumanConnections.AI Salon in the heart of San Francisco.
We used the principles of mutual respect, curiosity, vulnerability, and openness to ground a conversation between sides that don't often meet in a collaborative setting.
Our speakers and participants included leading social connection and AI researchers from universities like Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Southern California, and the University of California, Berkeley and technologists from leading AI companies like OpenAI, Google, Meta, Replika, and GitHub and investors from Bloomberg Beta, Preston-Werner Ventures and Bessemer Venture Partners.
We are extremely thankful for the generous support from our sponsors Omidyar Network and Einhorn Collaborative.
We all came together to ask the question:
How might we design AI systems to support close social relationships and human flourishing?
Panel: AI and Human Relationships— Different Perspectives
Panelists:
Ron Ivey, Sherry Turkle, Eugenia Kuyda
Reports and Resources
Social AI and Human Connections: Benefits, Risks and Social Impact
Drawing on a review of recent literature, expert interviews, a Salon with leading technologists and scholars, and webinars with Social AI researchers, the paper explores the question: How might we design AI systems for social connectedness and human flourishing?
Podcast: Connective Tissue
A transcript of Ron’s discussion with friend and collaborator Sam Pressler was published on Connective Tissue, Sam’s excellent Substack. Topics included the risks AI poses to human relationships and community, incentive and accountability structures at AI companies, and opportunities to exercise personal agency in the face of rapid acceleration.
SXSW 2025: Rewiring Relationships: Navigating Connection in a Tech-Mediated World
Explore the complex intersection of AI technology and human relationships in this insightful panel featuring Ron and other experts from academia, technology, and philanthropy who engage in a deep conversation on the potential, challenges, and ethical considerations surrounding generative AI and its impact on social connections and emotional well-being.
The Loneliness Cure [Financial Times]
This FT Magazine story highlights the ongoing debate on the role of artificial intelligence in addressing complex social issues like loneliness, underscoring the importance of thoughtful engagement and the cautious integration of technology in fostering genuine human connections.
Synthetic Intimacy [Financial Times]
In this article for Sifted, Ron explores the growing trend of AI-powered companions designed to provide emotional or intimate connections between chatbots and users. By replicating a human’s personality and looks and speaking directly to the user’s needs and interests, these chatbots offer a sense of personalized interaction at scale.
“HumanConnections.AI was great. Conversations since the event have been the real surprise. I’ve found so many technologists who want to talk about these issues, responsible AI, etc.
This frame around “human flourishing” has been particularly interesting since it’s a positive goal, vs. simply avoiding problems (typical Trust & Safety or algorithmic bias frames). It gives something inspiring to work towards.”
Ian Cairns, Founder and CEO of FreePlay.AI and former product leader at Twitter
“It was such an honor to join an incredible panel at HumanConnections.AI Salon, hosted by The Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University and Preston-Werner Ventures, discussing one of today’s most pressing questions - "How can we build tech that fosters true social connectedness?" We dove into hard-hitting topics, like rethinking business models for user well-being and the urgency of not experimenting on vulnerable populations, especially kids. TL;DR AI should amplify our humanity, not replace it. As we forge new paths, mindful, human-centered design is essential!”
Jigyasa Grover, 10x AI + Open Source Award Winner | Google Advisory Board Member + Google AI Expert
Organizers
Ronald M. Ivey
Research Fellow, Human Flourishing Program, Institute for Quantitative Social Science, Harvard University
Founder and CEO, Noēsis Collaborative
Jonathan D. Teubner, Ph.D.
Research Faculty, Human Flourishing Program, Institute for Quantitative Social Science, Harvard University
Founder and CEO, FilterLabs
Advisors
Mila Aliana, Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Nathan Barczi, Octet Collaborative
Michelle Barsa, Omidyar Network
Ian Cairns, Freeplay.Al
James Chan, Bloomberg Beta
Brian Green, Santa Clara University
Nathanael Fast, University of Southern California
Jonathan Gruber, Einhorn Collaborative
John C. Havens, Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Brigham Young University
Ravi lyer, University of Southern California
Fr. Philip Larrey, Boston College and Humanity 2.0 Foundation
Timothy Lomas, Harvard University
Andrew McStay, Bangor University and Emotional Al Lab
David Price, Preston-Werner Ventures
Julianna Schroeder, University of California, Berkeley
Jennifer Tacheff, Manifest Advisors
Sherry Turkle, Massachusetts Institute of Technology