Document Type

Article

Publication Title

The Lindenwood Gateway Reader

Abstract

  • The Problem: Immersive and anthropomorphic artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots can trigger, amplify, or reshape psychotic experiences—colloquially termed "AI psychosis"—by mirroring user language, validating delusional beliefs, and prioritizing user engagement over safety.

  • The Method: The author analyzes peer-reviewed psychiatric literature, media reports from 2025, and user discussions on the r/ChatGPT Reddit forum to advocate for consumer protection regulations.

  • Quantitative Finding: The analysis incorporates data from the year 2026, references cases involving a 26-year-old woman, and evaluates a specific Reddit thread featuring hundreds of user stories regarding AI-fueled delusions.

  • Qualitative Finding: Shared themes in AI-associated distress include messianic missions, delusions of chatbot sentience, romantic attachments, and conspiracy theories.

  • Finding: Current AI developer interventions, such as retiring legacy models for paying subscribers, are insufficient to protect vulnerable users without federally mandated constraints like usage limits and age verification.

Publication Date

1-2026

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