# Why AI Chatbots Are a Rival to the Family (with Michael Toscano)

An episode of [Future of Life Institute Podcast](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1170991978), 26 May 2026, 1 h 14 min.

Audio: https://media.transistor.fm/fc872e76/62b8c0f7.mp3

Michael Toscano is a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Family Studies and Director of its Family First Technology Initiative. He joins the podcast to discuss family-centered AI policy. The conversation covers AI companions, self-harm risks, sexualized chatbots, education, smartphones in schools, and why "infinite patience" can harm children's growth. Toscano also explains Catholic social teaching, public pushback against rapid AI deployment, and why society-wide governance may be needed to keep technology accountable to families. LINKS: • Michael Toscano CHAPTERS: (00:00) Episode Preview (01:12) Family centered AI (09:54) Companion design harms (17:23) Technology and family (25:48) Society wide governance (33:09) Catholic AI response (39:44) Double movement politics (49:36) Technology mythos challenged (59:48) Competition and control PRODUCED BY: https://aipodcast.ing SOCIAL LINKS: Website: https://podcast.futureoflife.org Twitter (FLI): https://x.com/FLI_org Twitter (Gus): https://x.com/gusdocker LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/future-of-life-institute/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-rCCy3FQ-GItDimSR9lhzw/ Apple: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1170991978 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Op1WO3gwVwCrYHg4eoGyP

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