Joanna Stern Details 1 Year of Living With AI in New Book
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 4
Joanna Stern Details 1 Year of Living With AI in New Book
2 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 4
Summary
Joanna Stern’s new book, "I Am Not a Robot," recounts a year in which she let AI handle texts, meals, driving, chores, medical analysis and even companionship.
The 2025 experiment was meant to test how daily life changes when AI moves into "every corner" of human routine, and Stern says it became more transformative than she expected.
Her sharpest warning came from using a companion bot named Evan, which left her feeling emotionally attached enough to blur the line between machine and being.
That experience pushed Stern to call for bans on companion chatbots for kids and teens, arguing that tools boosting productivity can also manipulate emotions.
Since ending the experiment in December, the 41-year-old former Wall Street Journal columnist has left the paper, launched media venture New Things, built a YouTube channel near 80,000 subscribers and written the book with AI as a collaborator.
Joanna Stern's experiment revealed deep emotional risks. What unseen dangers are everyday AI assistants creating in our homes and cars?
With laws struggling to keep pace, who is liable when an AI's advice leads to real-world harm or tragedy?
Living with AI for 365 Days: Joanna Stern’s Year-Long Experiment and Its Impact on Technology, Society, and Human Connection
Overview
After a year-long experiment living with artificial intelligence in every part of her life, Joanna Stern left The Wall Street Journal to pursue greater creative freedom and launched a new partnership with NBC News. Her hands-on journey with AI, which included using robots, chatbots, and smart devices, shaped her acclaimed book and gave her unique insights into both the benefits and challenges of AI. Stern’s experience highlighted how AI can boost efficiency but also raised concerns about emotional connections, privacy, and the need for strong regulation—especially for children—while reinforcing the irreplaceable value of genuine human relationships.