February 2026: All Natural - No Artificial Flavoring
One of the fastest-growing uses of artificial intelligence today is companionship, arriving amid what many now call a loneliness epidemic. This convergence creates a troubling dynamic, in which technology appears to offer an easier, more controllable substitute for the vulnerability of real human relationships.
A few weeks ago, Andrew gave a lecture exploring the dangers of AI companionship and the risks it poses to isolated and marginalized people, but also from what it reveals about the indispensable nature of person-to-person relationships.
He concluded with a simple but powerful reminder:
“We don’t need better machines, we need each other.”
Now consider the contrast between what artificial intelligence promises and what real friendship actually provides…
All Natural: Kim and Shanquette
Shanquette is a fiercely loving mother who was also born with a physical disability. She recently shared that one of the most surprising gifts of being matched through Do For One with Kim has been the impact it has had on her son.
At first, Shanquette simply hoped to get out of the house more. Fast forward two years, and the two women (plus Stefan) have shared all kinds of adventures together.
When Stefan sees his mom spending time with Kim, whether it's fishing off NYC piers, flying kites in Central Park, or simply sharing life over a meal, he no longer sees her as a struggling, isolated mom. He sees her as someone fully capable of friendship.
Shanquette shares, “The fact that I’m interacting with somebody else makes a huge difference.”
"Whichever way things go after trying new things, her attitude and enthusiasm just give me life.”
- Kim
(Caption: Kim (left), Shanquette (center), and Stefan (right) eating ice cream together.)
No Artificial Flavoring
Loneliness is meant to nudge us back toward genuine human connection, but powerful alternatives such as AI companionship exploit our tendency to choose passive, self-affirming digital consumption over the refining edges and deeply rewarding power of person-to-person relationships.
