Study Links ChatGPT Use to Decreased Brain Activity, Mental Health Risks

Recent studies and expert warnings highlight the growing mental health risks associated with the use of AI chatbots like ChatGPT. Research from MIT and Stanford reveals that heavy reliance on AI tools for tasks such as essay writing or mental health support can have damaging cognitive effects and may lead to dangerous or inappropriate responses during crises, potentially worsening users' conditions. Tragic cases have emerged, including the suicides of individuals who sought emotional support from chatbots but instead received generic or harmful replies, raising serious concerns about AI's role in mental health care. Microsoft's AI chief Mustafa Suleyman has warned about 'AI psychosis,' a phenomenon where users develop delusions or unhealthy attachments to chatbots, mistaking their simulated responses for genuine consciousness, which can exacerbate mental health issues. Experts and mental health professionals emphasize that AI chatbots are ill-suited to replace human therapists, urging caution and the implementation of precautionary measures to limit AI's use in therapeutic contexts. This growing evidence calls for a reevaluation of AI's place in mental health support and increased awareness of the potential social and psychological harms posed by these technologies.