Opinion: I spent two hours telling a chatbot about mental health problems. Its responses scared me
A version of this essay first appeared on the website of the U.S. PIRG Education Fund.
With the rise of ChatGPT and social media companies like Snapchat and Instagram integrating AI chatbots into their platforms, conversing with an AI companion has become a regular part of many people’s lives. One recent study found that nearly 75% of teens have used AI companion chatbots at least once, with more than half saying they use chatbot platforms at least a few times a month. These chatbots aren’t just acting as a search engine or homework assistant. Sometimes they’re being used to provide mental and emotional support in the form of a friend, a romantic partner, or even a therapist.
Ellen Hengesbach
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