Dating an A.I. Chatbot — Debate in NYC June 10
A Psychology Professor vs. An Evolutionary Biologist, Live at the Comedy Cellar’s Village Underground
Is the love of your life…ChatGPT? People who have found dating in our world challenging or are feeling lonelier than ever are turning to A.I. chatbots to fill the void and find romance. Could A.I. companionship not only rival but also surpass traditional human connection? On Tuesday, June 10, America’s leading debate show Open to Debate returns to the NYC’s Village Underground to debate the following question: “Could Dating an A.I. Be Better Than Dating a Human?”
Arguing “YES,” in favor of A.I. dating, is psychology professor Thao Ha , whose research focuses on how social media, AI, and VR impact adolescent romantic relationships. Arguing “NO,” in favor of human dating, is evolutionary biologist Justin Garcia, Senior Scientist at sex research center the Kinsey Institute and Chief Scientific Advisor to Match.com. Journalist Nayeema Raza, host of the Smart Girl Dumb Questions podcast, will serve as moderator.
The “Could Dating an A.I. Be Better Than Dating a Human?” debate will be held on Tuesday, June 10 at 6:00 PM ET (5:30 PM doors) at The Comedy Cellar at The Village Underground (130 W 3rd St. btw 6th Avenue and MacDougal Street), then air soon after on the syndicated public radio show and podcast “Open to Debate.”
Press are invited to attend (media drinks comped). Media can email raypadgett@shorefire.com to RSVP.
DEBATER BIOS
* Thao Ha: Associate Professor of Psychology at Arizona State University
Dr. Thao Ha is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Arizona State University, whose research focuses on how social media, AI, and VR impact adolescent romantic relationships. As co-founder of the Modern Love Collective, she advocates for technologies that honor the depth, complexity, and evolution of relationships across all life stages, enhancing our capacity for love, empathy, and well-being to foster relationships that flourish in both digital and physical spaces.
* Justin Garcia: Executive Director & Senior Scientist at the Kinsey Institute; Chief Scientific Advisor to Match.com
Dr. Justin Garcia is Executive Director & Senior Scientist at the Kinsey Institute, and Chief Scientific Advisor to Match.com. As an evolutionary biologist, focused on the science of sex and relationships, he is also a Ruth Halls Professor of Gender Studies, and Adjunct Professor of Medicine at Indiana University, Bloomington. He has co-authored more than 100 academic articles and book chapters, and is co-author of “Evolution and Human Sexual Behavior.” His forthcoming book is titled “The Intimate Animal.”
ABOUT OPEN TO DEBATE
Open to Debate addresses a fundamental problem in America: the extreme polarization of our nation and our politics. We are the nation’s only nonpartisan, debate-driven media organization dedicated to bringing multiple viewpoints together for a constructive, balanced, respectful exchange of ideas. Open to Debate is a platform for intellectually curious and open-minded people to engage with others holding opposing views on complex issues. We know debate works to find common ground: On average, 32% of the Open to Debate audience changes their mind on contentious topics after hearing a debate. That’s the power of debate done right, and at scale, it can change the direction we’re headed in America. Open to Debate is broadcast as a weekly public radio program, carried on NPR stations including WNYC (#1 in the nation). Open to Debate is made available as a podcast, video series, and digital platform, and records episodes with live audiences nationwide. Visit opentodebate.org to become a member, access an archive of more than 220 debates, and attend live events.
Go here for photos, links and more info: https://shorefire.com/roster/open-to-debate
ABOUT NAYEEMA RAZA
Nayeema Raza is a journalist and filmmaker whose work has appeared in The New York Times, New York Magazine, and the Tribeca Film Festival. She frequently guest moderates “Open to Debate,” for which she won a 2025 Gracie Award. Nayeema hosts “Smart Girl Dumb Questions,” a new podcast which seeks to invite curiosity back into our broader dialogue through sharp and entertaining conversations with guests like Neil deGrasse Tyson, Cleo Abram and Mark Cuban. She is also an adjunct professor at Columbia University, where she teaches a course on technology, media, and the end of trust.
Nayeema was previously the co-host of the podcast “Mixed Signals” and the on-air Executive Producer of the Vox Media podcast, “On with Kara Swisher.” Prior to that, she was a Senior Editor at The New York Times where she launched and ran the podcast “Sway,” was a video journalist in the Opinion section, and contributed essays on modern culture.
Nayeema came to journalism with a background in documentary filmmaking and international development, spending her early career advising foreign governments in places like Libya, Vietnam, and South Africa on major policy reform. She is on the Board of Advisors of Open to Debate and on the Young Patrons Leadership Committee of PEN America. She is also a member of the Writers Guild of America, a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and a 2024 Henry Crown Fellow within the Aspen Institute.
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For more information on Open to Debate, contact Ray Padgett (raypadgett@shorefire.com) or Mark Satlof (msatlof@shorefire.com) at Shore Fire Media.
