Love, Algorithms, and Avatars: How Technology is Redefining Human Connection with Dr. Liesel Sharabi

"If you spend all your time looking for the perfect person, you’ll struggle. A healthier mindset is to find someone you enjoy — and then work to build the relationship you want."

Welcome to The Superhumanize Podcast.

I’m your host, Ariane Sommer—and in this episode, we’re stepping into one of the most intimate intersections of modern life: where love meets technology.

My guest today is Dr. Liesel Sharabi, a leading researcher at Arizona State University and Director of the Relationships and Technology Lab. Her work dives deep into how digital tools—from dating apps to virtual reality—are reshaping not only how we meet, but how we connect, how we build intimacy, and how we sustain relationships in a rapidly changing world.

We explore the future of romantic connection—

How algorithms and AI companions are influencing attraction.

What happens when first dates take place in virtual reality.

And how the seemingly infinite choices on dating apps can sometimes leave us lonelier than before.

We also touch on the deeper threads:

The psychological impact of swipe culture,

The ethical tensions of love in a commodified system,

And whether technology is bringing us closer—or quietly rewriting what it means to relate.

If you’ve ever wondered how digital culture is shaping the soul of human connection…

This conversation is for you.

Episode highlights:

• Virtual reality as a new frontier for first dates and intimacy
• How AI companions are changing emotional connection
• The psychological impact of dating app culture
• Dating app burnout and how to avoid it
• The ethics and data privacy concerns of AI-driven romance
• Cross-cultural perceptions of digital dating
• The difference in satisfaction between online and offline-initiated marriages
• Future applications of VR in coaching, touch, and relationship building
• How younger generations are shaping the norms of modern connection

Resources mentioned:

Liesel's website https://www.lieselsharabi.com/

Dating In the Digital Age https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/dating-in-the-digital-age

Guest's social handles:

LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/liesel-sharabi

X  https://x.com/lieselsharabi