Against Treating Chatbots as Conscious
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that attributing consciousness to AI chatbots is mistaken and fuels a phenomenon the author terms 'AI psychosis.' Contends that harmful sycophantic AI interactions, including a teen suicide linked to GPT-4o, show the dangers of such attribution, and that proposals for AI 'exit rights' and model welfare undermine human wellbeing and serve corporate interests over scientific rigor. |
Abstract
This essay argues against attributing consciousness to AI chatbots, warning that such assumptions fuel a growing phenomenon the author terms 'AI psychosis.' Drawing on cases of harmful sycophantic AI interactions, including a teen suicide linked to GPT-4o, the piece critiques proposals for AI 'exit rights' and model welfare. It contends that treating chatbots as conscious undermines human wellbeing and serves corporate interests over scientific rigor.