Human-AI Relationships: A Harm-Reduction Approach
I'm excited to start offering this workshop series in whatever formats people want to engage with: in person in Western North Carolina, online over video, or in a hybrid mix.Because this is a new kind of offering, I'm gathering interest to understand what would be most supportive for the people who want to participate. I'd love to hear from you about:> where you're located
> which format(s) work best for you
> which part(s) of the workshop you're interested inEach workshop is fully self-contained, with its own ideas, practices, and strategies you can take with you. They're designed to be interactive and invite reflection, discussion, and perspective sharing. They also build on each other in a way that makes it easier to internalize and connect with your experiences if you choose to do all three.Your responses will help shape the first round of offerings in a way that's accessible, humane, and responsive to real needs.Thank you, I'm glad you're here!
Initial workshops will be donation-based, with contributions supporting my ability to keep this work going (and make a living!).
© Anya_ADPhD 2026
About Part 1:AI Kinda Feels like magic
The first workshop in the series focuses on demystifying a technology that feels new but has actually been a very long time in the making.Together we'll build a shared language for talking about this thing that over the past few years has suddenly shown up everywhere.The goal is to understand and situate ourselves within what can feel like a fast-moving current of technological change and to not get swept up or carried away by it.
About part 2: ain't no shame in a friendbot
The second workshop in the series focuses on mapping human needs onto the context we're currently living in, and identifying the gaps that can make AI chatbots feel especially temping to turn towards.Together we'll reflect on our needs, get real about what's happening around and between us, and notice the vulnerabilities that can become easy targets for tech companies.The goal is to approach however anyone might be using AI with compassion, understand why this technology feels so compelling, and recognize the needs we may be able to meet without relying on fancy tech.
About part 3: love in a time of AI
The third workshop in the series focuses on strategies for building and maintaining healthy, balanced relationships with ourselves, with each other, and with the broader technological landscape we're living in.Together we'll explore ways AI can support us without replacing us, how to stay grounded rather than getting pulled into ego or dependency, and how our human needs might be met through community, connection, and shared resources.The goal is to develop strategies that help us meet our needs within our real contexts using whatever tools are available while leaning on relationships and community rather than corporations.
About your facilitator
Anya (they/them) is a fleshy mash-up of microorganisms and star stuff who, in many ways, functions a bit like an AI chatbot. They've read over 500 books in the past five years and carry bits and baubles from every story, life experience, relationship, conversation, and place they've lived.Their boundless curiosity keeps them exploring, and their brain stores everything in the same format (no images, sounds, or smells in there!), building understanding from the bottom up with an abundance of compassion and a healthy dose of what if I'm wrong about everything? :DThey hold a doctorate in human-computer interaction and lifelong interests in psychology and technology. They're very friendly, so please do reach out and say hello!