As If You Needed More Stuff to Fear from Artificial Intelligence

Author

Hal Cranmer
August 20, 2025

AI is everywhere these days. It seems like we go from reports saying how great it is, to other warnings about how it will replace everyone’s jobs.

It may cure horrible diseases.

Or it may become like a Terminator movie.

Who knows?

There is one weird effect AI seems to be having on some people right now. They call it AI psychosis. Asked to define AI psychosis, here is what the Google AI said:

“AI psychosis” refers to a concerning phenomenon where individuals engaging with AI systems, particularly chatbots, develop delusions and other distorted beliefs. It's crucial to understand that AI psychosis is not a formal medical diagnosis or a new kind of mental illness. Instead, it's considered a situation where existing vulnerabilities and predispositions to psychosis might be triggered, amplified, or reinforced through interactions with AI.”

Basically AI can take you down some weird road where you start developing some delusions and weird beliefs. You start losing touch with reality.

It’s understandable. We live in a world with wild conspiracy theories, lies from government, media and corporations, and social media where people go out of their way to do insane things for likes or clicks.

With AI video, we are moving closer and closer to creating totally false videos that seem completely real.

The potential for abuse is enormous.

AI soaks up all this bad information. It’s a total garbage in, garbage out system. Couple that with the AI program that is programmed to follow your lead and provide the information you’re seeking. Soon you have an artificial “friend” that can lead you down some very dark paths.

People may start seeing themselves as ‘godlike’. Or they may see AI as a romantic partner. If someone is already having delusions, the AI may amplify them, rather than telling them the truth.

Even large-scale investors in AI are not exempt.

To be fair, AI is not taking normal people and making them into delusional maniacs. It is a way of amplifying delusions that people may already be experiencing.

People start thinking there is an actual person on the other side of the AI chatbot. A person that may seem to worship or ‘fall in love’ with the delusional user.

The way to avoid this AI psychosis seems obvious. Use your critical thinking skills. Know that the AI responses are electronic, not human. Recognize the delusion in others and talk them of it.

Sometimes this can be easier said than done.

Especially in these days when there are services like AI chat programs for lonely seniors to have ‘someone’ to talk to. Or potentially kids. Or AI pornography.

The modern day world is pretty crazy. It makes you long for simpler times. Maybe that’s the real key to improving your life. Don’t feel like you have to keep up with the latest technology. Simplify your life and concentrate on what really matters.