Step into the world of AI companionship with Jason F. Gilbert, where robots aren't just machines – they're life-changing friends for older adults. Through his work at Intuition Robotics, Jason shares candid stories about Elliq, a companion robot helping seniors fight loneliness and stay sharp. His journey from writing Disney's Miss Piggy chatbot to crafting conversations for elder care reveals the human side of AI development. Get ready for an eye-opening chat about building trust, handling user feedback (including the tough moments), and why sometimes, the most powerful feature can be as simple as offering a virtual hug. This isn't just another tech talk – it's a story about using words and AI to make real connections when they matter most.