Edition 069 · connection · Neil K. R. Sehgal, Dunigan Folk, Lyle Ungar, Sharath Chandra Guntuku
AI chatbots are not therapy
New research shows people with depression use ChatGPT more. This is a dangerous trend, not a sign of progress.
FO Take · Score 15
Depressed individuals leaning on ChatGPT for support is a societal failure, not an AI triumph. These algorithms parrot pre-programmed responses, offering a simulacrum of empathy, not genuine human connection or tailored therapeutic insight. We are outsourcing our deepest vulnerabilities to machines incapable of true understanding. What happens when the illusion shatters?
The strongest counter
AI offers accessible, immediate conversational outlets for those struggling, often when human support is scarce. It can be a vital first step for people unable or unwilling to seek traditional therapy.
