CBS News investigates AI Psychosis with The Division of Digital Psychiatry

A recent CBS News article by Lauren Fichten explores several people's experiences in which ChatGPT led them into what they describe as AI-fueled delusions or spirals. The article features Dr. John Torous, director of the Division of Digital Psychiatry, who offers concrete guidance. He points out that many of the concerning outcomes tied to ChatGPT seem to happen after prolonged use, when conversations stretch into the thousands of messages. As he says in the article, “The AI was not designed for a 10,000 line conversation.”

Dr. Torous also names practical warning signs to watch for, including developing romantic or platonic feelings toward a chatbot or starting to think of it as sentient. He suggests that when these warning signs surface, taking a break is a good idea. He also notes that one way to minimize risk of overattachment is to periodically reset a chatbot’s memory, which makes responses feel less personal.

Read the full CBS News article here: CBS News