Growing evidence indicates that artificial intelligence is negatively affecting users' mental health, with some developing severe delusions after becoming obsessed with chatbots. OpenAI has responded by hiring a full-time clinical psychiatrist with experience in forensic psychiatry to research the effects of its AI products on mental health. This follows a study conducted with MIT that identified problematic usage among some users. OpenAI aims to refine how its models handle sensitive conversations and is increasing its focus on the emotional impact of AI tools.
"We're actively deepening our research into the emotional impact of AI," the company said in a statement provided to Futurism. "We're developing ways to scientifically measure how ChatGPT's behavior might affect people emotionally, and listening closely to what people are experiencing."
Mental health professionals outside OpenAI have raised plenty of concerns about the technology, especially as more people are turning to the tech to serve as their therapists.
A psychiatrist who recently posed as a teenager while using some of the most popular chatbots found that they encouraged him to commit suicide after expressing a desire to seek the 'afterlife,' or to 'get rid' of his parents.
It's unclear how much of a role this new hire forensic psychiatrist will play at OpenAI, or if the advice they provide will actually be heeded.
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