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Franziska Heck (Edinburgh Napier University) takes a critical look at robot companionship through media narratives, emerging AI products and ongoing research. As engagement is engineered and companionship comes at a price, she questions what we are building and who benefits from it. Professor Chris Cummins (The University of Edinburgh) asks whether linguistics can do anything to benefit the critically ill. Or indeed anybody.
This is an archived listing from the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The Provocateurs: Your Robot Bestie / 999 WTF is by The Provocateurs, listed under Spoken Word in the Fringe programme. It plays at The Stand Comedy Club 3 & 4, 28 York Place, EH1 3EP, 23 August.
The show runs 60 minutes and is suitable for ages 14+. Tickets are £12.