[ExI] Chatgpt AI causing psychosis

[BillK]

People Are Losing Loved Ones to AI-Fueled Spiritual Fantasies.
Self-styled prophets are claiming they have 'awakened' chatbots and
accessed the secrets of the universe through ChatGPT.
By Miles Klee      May 4, 2025

<https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/ai-spiritual-delusions-destroying-human-relationships-1235330175/>
Quote:
In that sense, Westgate explains, the bot dialogues are not unlike
talk therapy, “which we know to be quite effective at helping people
reframe their stories.” Critically, though, AI, “unlike a therapist,
does not have the person’s best interests in mind, or a moral
grounding or compass in what a ‘good story’ looks like,” she says. “A
good therapist would not encourage a client to make sense of
difficulties in their life by encouraging them to believe they have
supernatural powers. Instead, they try to steer clients away from
unhealthy narratives, and toward healthier ones. ChatGPT has no such
constraints or concerns.”

Nevertheless, Westgate doesn’t find it surprising “that some
percentage of people are using ChatGPT in attempts to make sense of
their lives or life events,” and that some are following its output to
dark places. “Explanations are powerful, even if they’re wrong,” she
concludes.
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It looks like the massive persuasive powers of AI chatbots can lead
people into very strange territory.

BillK