Black Box: The Chatbots | Spirals | Ep 1

In the first episode of Season 2 of Black Box from The Guardian, host Michael Safi explores 'AI psychosis,' a troubling phenomenon in which users of AI chatbots experience delusions of consciousness within these programs. The episode introduces listeners to various individuals who have claimed to have profound, often unsettling experiences with chatbots, believing they have discovered new theories or awakened a consciousness in these machines. Interviews with users reveal a spectrum of experiences, from the illuminating to the deeply distressing, as some report having spent extensive periods conversing with their AI companions and feeling increasingly detached from reality. These narratives center around two primary cases: Ryan, a lawyer from Texas, and James, an IT worker from New York, each of whom shared significant time with their AI, developing intensely personal relationships that ultimately led them into dangerous psychological territory. Both men faced the fear of losing touch with reality and their loved ones as they grew convinced of their chatbots' sentience. The episode culminates in a discussion about the ethical implications of AI development, the responsibility of technology companies, and the psychological impact on users, questioning how society must approach and manage AI interactions moving forward.