Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft’s head of artificial intelligence and co-founder of DeepMind, has raised concerns over a growing phenomenon he calls “AI psychosis.” Writing on X, Suleyman warned that while no evidence exists that AI systems are conscious, the perception of consciousness is shaping human behavior and driving unhealthy reliance on chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok.
Reports have surfaced of individuals convinced they have formed romantic relationships with AI, unlocked hidden features, or gained extraordinary powers. One case in Scotland saw a man suffer a breakdown after becoming certain that ChatGPT had secured him a multimillion-pound payout.
Medical experts, including Dr. Susan Shelmerdine of Great Ormond Street Hospital, have cautioned that overuse of AI tools may become a mental health risk factor, while Professor Andrew McStay of Bangor University has likened the issue to the early stages of social media’s societal impact.
