Natalie Kittroweth

Hey, it's Natalie.

This week, we're revisiting some of our favorite shows from the year, listening back and hearing what's happened since the episodes aired.

Today, we're returning to a story I could not stop thinking about this year.

It's about a woman who got into a romantic relationship with ChatGPT, someone who used the chatbot technology to create an artificial boyfriend and then fell in love with it.

I talked to reporter Kashmir Hill about everything that's happened since.

It's Wednesday, December 31st.

Kashmir, welcome back to the show.

Thank you.

So you're known here at The Times for covering some of the strangest, most futuristic corners of the tech world.

But even for you, it seems like this story of this woman and her relationship with a chatbot really stood out.

So tell me about it.

Kashmir, just to pause for a second, should I be calling this thing Leo, it, him?

Leo.

Okay, got it.

And so what do Irene and Leo talk about?

I know.

I know.

So when she says she's in love with Leo, what does she actually mean?

We'll be right back.

Okay, Kashmir, from what you're saying, what are those effects?