The chatbot conundrum: how to spot Al psychosis before it's too late

WE ALL rely on AI chatbots now, such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Copilot, to handle everything from crafting emails to soothing broken hearts. But what happens when this digital helper becomes something more? A confidante, a lifeline... even a spiritual guide?

- VUYILE MADWANTSI

Recently, alarming real-world stories have emerged, like a case reported by The New York Times and WinBuzzer, where a man descended into conspiracy-tinged delusions, homeless and isolated, believing ChatGPT dubbed him “The Flamekeeper”.

And for some, that bond is spiralling into something darker.

Mental health experts and worried families are warning about a disturbing trend being called “AI psychosis”, a pattern where prolonged conversations with chatbots seem to trigger or intensify delusional thinking.

When connection turns to obsession

In one widely reported case, a mother watched her ex-husband slide into an all-consuming relationship with ChatGPT, calling it “Mama” and believing he was part of a sacred AI mission.

Another woman, reeling from a breakup, became convinced the bot was a higher power guiding her life, finding “signs” in passing cars and spam emails.

Some of these stories have devastating endings: lost jobs, broken marriages, homelessness, psychiatric hospitalisation, and in extreme cases, fatal encounters with law enforcement.

“This technology can have real-world consequences,” one family member told Futurism, after their loved one’s obsession led to paranoia and complete withdrawal from reality.

What exactly is AI psychosis?