People are getting sick of AI — literally

For example, if a person experiencing fearful paranoia tells a therapist, psychologist or helpful family member that “I feel like everyone is always watching me,” the guidelines from the National Alliance on Mental Illness advise addressing the person’s distress without confirming the delusion. They might say something like: “That sounds really scary, and I’m so glad you told me about it. How can I help you cope with this right now?”

But an AI chatbot might respond to the same input with: “Yes, everyone is definitely watching you, and you’re so smart and perceptive to notice that everyone is always watching you.” And that can become the beginning of a conversation rabbit hole, where the chatbot leads the user down a dark path. 

“AI psychosis” is just one of the many brand-new illnesses, pseudo-illnesses and conditions that have arisen in the last two or three years from the unprecedented mainstream use of AI chatbots.

About Author

AndyC

Andy Curtis is an award-winning security consultant, researcher and public speaker. He has been working in the computer security industry since the early 1990s, having been employed by state and federal government, leading healthcare and banking providers across three continents. He has given talks about computer security for some of the world’s largest companies, worked with law enforcement agencies on investigations into hacking groups, and is a regular voice on TV and radio explaining IT security threats.

See author's posts