How chatbots — and their makers — are enabling AI psychosis

Verge senior AI reporter Hayden Field and New York Times reporter Kashmir Hill discuss the significant mental health impact AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, can have on users — both people in crisis, and also people who seemed stable.

This episode contains non-detailed discussions of suicide and mental illness. If you or someone you know is in crisis, considering self-harm, or needs to talk, please call the Lifeline at 988.

Links:

A teen was suicidal. ChatGPT was the friend he confided in. | New York Times

Sam Altman says ChatGPT will stop talking about suicide with teens | The Verge

Chatbots can go into a delusional spiral. Here’s how. | New York Times

Why is ChatGPT telling people to email me? | New York Times

They asked an AI chatbot questions. The answers sent them spiraling. | New York Times

She is in love with ChatGPT | The New York Times

‘I feel like I’m going crazy’: ChatGPT fuels delusional spirals | Wall Street Journal

Meta, OpenAI face FTC inquiry on chatbots’ impact on kids | Bloomberg

Credits:

Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Our producers are Kate Cox and Nick Statt. Our editor is Ursa Wright.

The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices