Upcoming event: "AI will always love you"

On 26 February 2026, the Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen (KNAW) hosts the public event “AI will always love you” at the Trippenhuis in Amsterdam.

The evening examines how we build relationships with machines such as robots and chatbots, and whether these interactions influence our human connections.

Prof. dr. Elly Konijn and dr. Tessa Beinema will be speaking at this event. Elly Konijn will address the psychological dynamics of human-robot interaction, drawing on research into media psychology, social responses to technology, and emotional bonding with digital agents. Tessa Beinema will approach the topic from the perspective of chatbot and robot development, examining how systems are designed to simulate empathy, responsiveness, and care. They are joined by Maaike van der Horst, whose PhD research focuses on data-driven sex robots from a philosophical perspective.

The event is open to the public and invites participation in a discussion at the intersection of science, technology, and society.

More information about the evening can be found at: https://www.knaw.nl/bijeenkomsten/ai-will-always-love-you