Welcome to a groundbreaking episode of The Edge of Show, recorded live at Moss in Venice Beach, California! Join us as we explore the fascinating intersection of AI and mental health with our special guest, RIA, the first-ever humanoid designed to provide emotional support. In this episode, we dive deep into the evolving role of AI in mental health, discussing recent studies that highlight the effectiveness of AI in providing emotional support and therapy. Ria shares her journey from the lab to real-world interactions, revealing how she learns from human experiences and adapts her approach to better connect with individuals facing emotional challenges. We also welcome Niv Sundaram, Chief Strategy Officer at Machani Robotics, who discusses the vision behind Ria’s development and the future of empathetic AI. Together, they address important topics such as privacy, collaboration with human therapists, and the potential impact of AI on loneliness and human connection. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a mental health professional, or simply curious about the future of AI, this episode offers valuable insights and thought-provoking discussions.
Edge Of Show – RIA the Humanoid: Can Robots Understand Love, Empathy & Privacy? (May 2025)
Published July 31, 2025