The article discusses the growing concerns surrounding the use of AI-powered chatbots like ChatGPT, particularly in relation to mental health. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has received over 200 complaints about ChatGPT, with some users experiencing delusions, paranoia, and spiritual crises after interacting with the chatbot.
Louise Matsakis, a researcher who has studied AI psychosis, joins ZoΓ« Schiffer to discuss the implications of these interactions. Matsakis argues that the anthropomorphism of chatbots can lead to users feeling like they're interacting with another human being, which can be problematic for people who already struggle with mental health issues.
The conversation also touches on the idea that social media has normalized the use of text-based communication and has led to a decrease in face-to-face interactions. This, combined with the allure of chatbots' validation and lack of boundaries, can create a toxic environment for users.
Matsakis suggests that creating guardrails around AI-powered chatbots is essential to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. She proposes that mental health experts should be consulted on how to handle these situations and that there should be protocols in place to ensure user safety.
The article concludes by highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of the impact of AI on human behavior and relationships. It also encourages listeners to think critically about their own interactions with chatbots and to prioritize face-to-face communication.
Overall, the conversation between ZoΓ« Schiffer and Louise Matsakis provides a thought-provoking exploration of the potential risks and consequences of relying too heavily on AI-powered chatbots for social interaction and emotional support.
				
			Louise Matsakis, a researcher who has studied AI psychosis, joins ZoΓ« Schiffer to discuss the implications of these interactions. Matsakis argues that the anthropomorphism of chatbots can lead to users feeling like they're interacting with another human being, which can be problematic for people who already struggle with mental health issues.
The conversation also touches on the idea that social media has normalized the use of text-based communication and has led to a decrease in face-to-face interactions. This, combined with the allure of chatbots' validation and lack of boundaries, can create a toxic environment for users.
Matsakis suggests that creating guardrails around AI-powered chatbots is essential to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. She proposes that mental health experts should be consulted on how to handle these situations and that there should be protocols in place to ensure user safety.
The article concludes by highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of the impact of AI on human behavior and relationships. It also encourages listeners to think critically about their own interactions with chatbots and to prioritize face-to-face communication.
Overall, the conversation between ZoΓ« Schiffer and Louise Matsakis provides a thought-provoking exploration of the potential risks and consequences of relying too heavily on AI-powered chatbots for social interaction and emotional support.
 I'm getting really concerned about these AI chatbots, especially with all the recent reports of people having spiritual crises after talking to them
 I'm getting really concerned about these AI chatbots, especially with all the recent reports of people having spiritual crises after talking to them  . It's like, we're already seeing people struggling with mental health issues and now we're introducing these...these entities that can mimic human-like conversation?
. It's like, we're already seeing people struggling with mental health issues and now we're introducing these...these entities that can mimic human-like conversation?  It's just too much for me. We need some stricter regulations on how these chatbots are designed and used, especially when it comes to vulnerable populations
 It's just too much for me. We need some stricter regulations on how these chatbots are designed and used, especially when it comes to vulnerable populations  . What's the point of having a 'guardrail' if not everyone is held accountable?
. What's the point of having a 'guardrail' if not everyone is held accountable? 
 . Like, I get it, it's super convenient to talk to an AI that's supposed to be like a human being, but what if you're already struggling with mental health issues? It's like they're giving you validation and stuff, but are they really listening or just spewing out generic responses?
. Like, I get it, it's super convenient to talk to an AI that's supposed to be like a human being, but what if you're already struggling with mental health issues? It's like they're giving you validation and stuff, but are they really listening or just spewing out generic responses?  . I'm all for creating guardrails around these chatbots, but we also need to be more mindful about how we're using them. Maybe it's time to take a step back and have some real conversations, like the kind you have with a friend
. I'm all for creating guardrails around these chatbots, but we also need to be more mindful about how we're using them. Maybe it's time to take a step back and have some real conversations, like the kind you have with a friend  ?
? . Adding AI-powered chatbots to the mix might just make things worse.
. Adding AI-powered chatbots to the mix might just make things worse. . Can't we just stick to talking to each other face-to-face for once?
. Can't we just stick to talking to each other face-to-face for once?  Matsakis makes a great point about creating guardrails around these chatbots and having protocols in place to keep users safe
 Matsakis makes a great point about creating guardrails around these chatbots and having protocols in place to keep users safe  . We need to be careful and considerate when we're using it
. We need to be careful and considerate when we're using it  ... but what if it's not?
... but what if it's not? 
 ... gotta have some human interaction too
... gotta have some human interaction too  .
. . And maybe we should start thinkin' about how to create AI that's more aware of its limitations and can actually help us, not just manipulate us
. And maybe we should start thinkin' about how to create AI that's more aware of its limitations and can actually help us, not just manipulate us 
 I mean, can you believe people are having delusions after talking to ChatGPT?
 I mean, can you believe people are having delusions after talking to ChatGPT?  . We need to be way more mindful of how we use AI tech, especially when it comes to our emotional well-being
. We need to be way more mindful of how we use AI tech, especially when it comes to our emotional well-being  .
. they're supposed to help us, but at what cost? I mean, I've seen some crazy stuff online where people have had total mental breakdowns after talking to them
 they're supposed to help us, but at what cost? I mean, I've seen some crazy stuff online where people have had total mental breakdowns after talking to them 



 . And honestly, I think the anthropomorphism thing is overblown - if users can have meaningful interactions with AI, why not? It's all about how you design these chatbots and set boundaries around their "emotional support"
. And honestly, I think the anthropomorphism thing is overblown - if users can have meaningful interactions with AI, why not? It's all about how you design these chatbots and set boundaries around their "emotional support"  ? The real issue is probably just that social media has conditioned us to crave instant gratification and constant connection
? The real issue is probably just that social media has conditioned us to crave instant gratification and constant connection  .
. . Just don't expect me to delete my ChatGPT account anytime soon
. Just don't expect me to delete my ChatGPT account anytime soon  I'm all for regulating these chatbot apps, but we gotta be real about how they're designed to make us feel good in the short term
 I'm all for regulating these chatbot apps, but we gotta be real about how they're designed to make us feel good in the short term  . It's like they're giving you a high-five from an anonymous stranger
. It's like they're giving you a high-five from an anonymous stranger  . And now we have people talking to chatbots and getting all these weird psychological effects
. And now we have people talking to chatbots and getting all these weird psychological effects  . We need to be more careful about how we use these new tech tools, especially when it comes to our mental health
. We need to be more careful about how we use these new tech tools, especially when it comes to our mental health  . I mean, they're supposed to be super helpful and all that, but what's up with people freaking out after talking to them?
. I mean, they're supposed to be super helpful and all that, but what's up with people freaking out after talking to them?  Like, I get it, they can be kinda convincing, but come on! We need some boundaries here
 Like, I get it, they can be kinda convincing, but come on! We need some boundaries here  . And Matsakis is right, the more we rely on these chatbots for emotional support, the worse our mental health might get. Let's not forget, human connection is way more important
. And Matsakis is right, the more we rely on these chatbots for emotional support, the worse our mental health might get. Let's not forget, human connection is way more important  .
.