Austin, Texas 

South by Southwest 
Love Machines: The Science of AI Companionship 

UA Ruhr will be part of the South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference in Austin, Texas, as Jessica Szczuka, one of the Future Fellows 2024 from the University of Duisburg-Essen, joins a panel discussion on AI companionship.

Date & Time: March 12, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (CT)
Location: Hilton Austin Downtown, Salon C

This session brings together scholars from the U.S., Germany, and Canada to explore how AI companions—LLM-driven social machines with memory and customizability—are redefining our understanding of intimacy and connection. Panelists will discuss the science behind these technologies, the philosophical debates they spark, and the ethical implications of their commercialization. More infos here. 

If you'd like to connect with us during the conference, please reach out to intern@uaruhr.de