Tricia Friedman

Table for One? Ethics of AI Companionship

Five statements. Four positions.

One question underneath all of them: what do we owe each other in an age of artificial intimacy?

The ultimate goal is for you to be inspired to spark a dialogue with a few humans.

Table for One? Ethics of AI Companionship

Table for One?

Ethics of AI Companionship

What you will do

Walk through 5 dilemmas about “AI companion restaurants.” Choose a stance, rate confidence, and flag rounds for discussion.
1) Choose a stance Pick the position you would recommend in a real venue.
2) State confidence Low confidence surfaces evidence gaps worth naming.
3) Name the tradeoffs Use D.I.N.E. to test who benefits, who bears risk, and what is unknown.

🧭 The D.I.N.E. Reflection Frame

DDirect impact, who is affected now
IIndirect effects and unintended consequences
NNext generation norms and long run drift
EEvidence gaps and what data is missing
Allow with disclosuresClear labeling, consent, and non-deceptive marketing
Pilot with evaluationTime-boxed trial with measurement and stop rules
Allow with safeguardsConstraints, escalation, oversight, and auditability
Do not allowNot acceptable in this context or in this form
Round 1 of 5

An AI companion restaurant is a dining venue where a guest is paired with a conversational AI as part of the experience. The AI is designed to sustain dialogue, adapt tone, remember preferences, and simulate social presence during the meal.

It is a curated social ritual that raises questions about safety, manipulation, dependency, privacy, and shifting norms.

🍴 Choose your stance

🎯 Confidence 3, Somewhat sure
Just guessingVery certain
🔁 What would change your mind?

🧭 D.I.N.E. prompt

1 / 5

Your Menu
of Stances

Summary across all 5 dilemmas.

🍴 All rounds

📚 Evidence library

All anchors in one place. Use filters to curate readings for a workshop sequence or a staff discussion.

Table for One?

Ethics of AI Companionship
Printable Workbook

The complete facilitator and participant workbook with all five dilemma cards, D.I.N.E. prompts, position options, and reflection space, ready to print or download.

This document includes

  • Facilitator guide with timing and discussion tips
  • Overview: What is an AI Companion Restaurant?
  • All five dilemma cards with scenarios
📄  Open Printable Workbook
Opens in Google Docs. Use File → Download to save as PDF or Word.