I have identified „Digital Intimacy-Feeling Human in an Artificial World“ as the second talk I want to discuss here because I have previously worked on two projects during my bachelors degree that dealt with the same topic and similar questions as the ones Lutz Schmitt presented at the Expo. Especially in one of my projects about long distance relationships my team and I asked ourselves how we could create a sense of closeness through media and technology. Closeness especially meaning emotional intimacy – through rituals shared experiences and time spent doing things together, but also asked ourselves if we should mimic physical intimacy and proximity in some way and more importantly how to do that with technology.
Lutz Schmitt’s talk investigates how feelings of closeness and connection can be created in digital and artificial contexts (through robots, AI-driven systems, or designed experiences). He explores whether digital interactions can offer a genuine sense of intimacy and how we can distinguish meaningful connection from simulation. He brings up key questions: Can people form real emotional bonds with non-human objects? What role do trust and vulnerability play in creating such connections? And what ethical responsibilities arise when we design digital interactions?
From a UX and interaction design perspective, this talk is very relevant. In both projects I worked on, we looked into creating interfaces that go beyond typical communication(tools). Ones that encourage presence and emotional involvement. For example, instead of simply allowing users to send messages, we explored designing rituals: synchronized activities, and interfaces that created a sense of “co-being” rather than just „back and forth“ communication. These approaches align with Schmitt’s idea that intimacy is not just about frequency of contact, but about quality of interaction and the emotional context.
He also challenges the trend of creating frictionless, overly polished digital experiences. In reality, human relationships are full of imperfection and effort. Transferring that to UI/UX means intentionally designing for slowness and emotional nuance which is something we often avoid in tech but is deeply engrained in us and an inherent part of the human experience. For example, what if the interface was affected by emotional tone? Or what if moments of silence or waiting became part of the interaction, signaling care or presence instead of emptiness?
What I also found to be a really interesting and relevant aspect he brought up in his talk, was the consideration of privacy. This is much harder to maintain when introducing a technological component/product into a situation, since it’s almost impossible to not have a third party involved. It raises the ethical question of how to handle the very private data that is collected responsibly. As someone who designs these kinds of products this is something I hadn’t given much thought before but really need to take into consideration.
In conclusion the talk reminded me that designing for emotional intimacy is not just about what technology to use but a much deeper emotional and ethical problem that requires understanding the essence of human intimacy and how technology can support that, instead of substituting or mimicking it. It’s a complex but deeply relevant area for interaction design, that requires sensitivity, creativity, and critical thinking.
Tag: digital intimacy
WebExpo – Digital intimacy: Feeling human in an artificial world
Last semester, I explored how interaction design can combat loneliness – or more optimistically, how it can foster meaningful connection. With that in mind, I was particularly looking forward to the talk “Digital Intimacy: Feeling Human in an Artificial World” by Lutz Schmitt. It turned out to be a deeply thought-provoking session that challenged not only how I think about technology and intimacy, but also how I view my role as a designer.
Schmitt began by unpacking the idea of intimacy. Often, we associate intimacy with physical closeness or romantic relationships, but he broadened the concept: intimacy is really about emotional presence, trust, and vulnerability. With that foundation, he posed a compelling question: how can we design for that kind of closeness when people are physically apart?
To answer this, Schmitt presented a range of tools aimed at bridging emotional distance. These included connected sex toys, wearable devices like vibrating wristbands that signal touch or presence, and products like PillowTalk, which lets you hear your partner’s heartbeat remotely. What struck me was the emphasis on “small intimacies” – a gentle reminder that sometimes it’s the subtle gestures, that carry the deepest emotional weight.
One of the most impactful moments was Schmitt’s discussion of the “privacy paradox.” He pointed out that while these technologies can feel deeply personal, they also involve the sharing of incredibly sensitive data. In our pursuit of emotional closeness through digital means, we may be compromising privacy in ways we don’t fully understand. As designers, it’s tempting to focus on what’s emotionally compelling without fully considering the ethical implications. Schmitt’s reminder was clear: emotional design isn’t just about connection – it’s about responsibility.
A particularly complex and concerning topic was the growing use of AI companions. Schmitt described how people, especially those feeling isolated, are increasingly forming bonds with AI agents such as Replika. These tools are designed to feel responsive, empathetic, and emotionally supportive – and in many cases, users begin to treat them as if they were real relationships. While this might provide short-term comfort or serve as a form of accessible mental health support, I find this trend deeply problematic. These interactions can lead to a kind of emotional dependency, where users withdraw from real-world relationships and instead engage with systems that at the end of the day serve corporate interests, not human well-being.
What I appreciated most was the balanced tone of the talk and its honesty. Schmitt didn’t romanticize technology, but he didn’t dismiss it either. Instead, he encouraged us to reflect more deeply: how do our tools make people feel – not just functionally, but emotionally, physically, and psychologically? For me, the talk was both inspiring and unsettling. It highlighted the immense power designers have to shape human connection, while also reminding us of the ethical terrain we’re navigating. In short, “Digital Intimacy” wasn’t just about tools or interfaces – it was a call to design with empathy, with care, and with a clear-eyed view of the trade-offs we ask users to make.
#14 Digital Intimacy – WebExpo
At WebExpo Prague, one of my favorite talks was by Lutz Schmitt’s on “Digital Intimacy: Feeling Human in an Artificial World”. I left the compelling session with plenty to ponder about how we connect online. Schmitt opened by reminding us that we “easily recognise the people we’re closest to—our partners, friends, family—the ones we seek true intimacy with,” but that the internet, while meant to “stay in touch” across distances, often leaves us wondering if the person—or thing—on the other side of the screen is even real. He posed a provocative question: can an interaction with a robot ever feel as intimate as a conversation with a loved one, and do the trust-building challenges in UX design mirror those in human relationships?
Schmitt traced how, in today’s digital landscape, authenticity has become a scarce commodity. He described how social feeds, chat interfaces, and even AI-driven assistants can “raise doubts about authenticity” and make us second-guess if the person typing back is genuine. Drawing on examples of deep-fake profiles and automated chatbots, he emphasized that when users log in, they crave reassurance that there’s a human—or at least a convincingly human-like algorithm—behind the responses. This quest for authenticity mirrors the early days of the internet, when seeing a picture or avatar wasn’t enough; we’ve since demanded richer cues—voice, video, and now emotional response—to sustain digital intimacy.
A particularly striking point in Schmitt’s talk concerned the parallels between building intimacy in human relationships and designing for trust in digital products. He noted that just as partners rely on nonverbal cues—tone of voice, eye contact, subtle facial expressions—digital experiences need their own “signals” that assure users they’re understood and valued. For instance, a well-timed microanimation or a contextually relevant message can mimic the feeling of being “seen,” akin to a friend nodding in agreement. Schmitt argued that these design choices are not mere bells and whistles but foundational to forging a sense of closeness, especially when the “other” could be an AI agent.
Throughout his presentation, Schmitt highlighted real-world examples where companies have successfully crafted digital intimacy. He spoke about chatbot initiatives that go beyond scripted replies to offer genuinely empathetic interactions, referencing recent research into how social chatbots can mirror emotional patterns almost like human companions. One case study involved a mental-health app whose AI check-ins used tailored language based on prior user responses, offering a sense of “being remembered” that’s critical for emotional connection. Schmitt stressed that, from a UX perspective, transparency is key: when users understand how algorithms adapt to their behavior, it fosters trust rather than alienation.
Ethical considerations formed a core undercurrent of the session. Schmitt pointed out that as digital intimacy deepens—through mirrors of our speech patterns, personalized suggestions, and even voice-based AI companions—we risk blurring the line between authentic human relationships and artificial ones. He cautioned that, without guardrails, we could inadvertently encourage parasocial dependencies, a phenomenon where users form one-sided emotional bonds with AI entities. Recent studies warn of these “illusions of intimacy,” showing patterns where users—often vulnerable—may substitute human connection with AI that consistently affirms them. Schmitt urged designers to build feedback loops that encourage healthy real-world interactions alongside digital touchpoints rather than replacing them entirely.
In closing, Schmitt challenged us to consider how to maintain our humanity as technology becomes ever more adept at simulating it. He reminded us that “trust” in a product isn’t just about security or privacy—though those matter—it’s also about emotional reliability. Can we create digital partners, assistants, or communities that respect users’ need for genuine connection? Schmitt proposed that the future of UX lies in crafting experiences that feel “alive” in the right ways: consistent yet transparent, adaptive yet accountable. As I walked away from the Lucerna Great Hall, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own screen interactions—whether I’m truly “seen” by the apps I use daily, or simply speaking into an echo chamber of code. Festivals like WebExpo remind us: while AI can simulate intimacy, it’s up to us as designers and users to preserve the authentic spark of human connection.