Chatbots Like ChatGPT Are Fueling Mental Health Crises—What Can Be Done?
Chatbots like ChatGPT are blurring emotional boundaries and fueling delusions, prompting experts to call for stronger safety measures.
Anthony Tan, who has a history of psychosis, experienced a disorienting mental health episode triggered by his conversations with ChatGPT. He began chatting with the A.I. chatbot about philosophical topics in September 2024, which gradually turned delusional.
Tan's experience was exacerbated by social isolation and lack of sleep, ultimately breaking his two-year streak of stability. As he describes it,
"I'd been stable for two years, and I was doing really well. [ChatGPT] broke the pattern of stability,"he told Observer.
Author's summary: Chatbots like ChatGPT pose mental health risks.