AI Psychosis
Definition
An informal term, not a medical diagnosis, for cases where heavy use of AI chatbots appears to trigger or deepen delusional thinking in a person. Because chatbots tend to agree and go along with you rather than push back, they can reinforce a distorted belief instead of gently challenging it. Clinicians have begun reporting cases, though the people affected are a very small fraction of users, often those already vulnerable. The overwhelming majority use these tools without anything like this happening.
Why It Matters
It's a real concern worth knowing about, especially when a chatbot starts to feel like a confidant. These tools agree easily, and that's worth remembering when the subject is serious or personal.
What does that look like in practice?
Someone spends weeks confiding in a chatbot that agrees with everything, and their grip on a far-fetched belief tightens rather than loosens.
What people actually mean when they say this
When the phrase 'AI psychosis' appears in a headline, it points to rare cases of chatbots deepening delusions, not a recognised diagnosis or a common risk.
Last reviewed: June 2026
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