Expert Warns of Mental Health Risks from AI Ghosts

The expert warns of mental health risks linked to AI ghosts, cautioning that interacting with AI versions of deceased individuals could harm psychological well-being. Concerns include emotional attachment to the AI, confusion between reality and simulation, and the potential for harmful advice. This underscores the need to address the psychological impact of such technologies and implement safeguards to mitigate harm.

On Kim Kardashian’s fortieth birthday, her then-husband Kanye West surprised her with a holographic projection of her late father, Robert Kardashian. Allegedly, Kim Kardashian was taken aback with both disbelief and joy upon seeing her father virtually appear at her birthday celebration. The notion of being able to interact with a deceased loved one, witnessing them move and speak again, may offer solace to those grieving their loss.

Navigating the Impact of Technological Resurrections on Mental Health

However, the resurrection of a deceased individual through technology, while seemingly miraculous, also raises questions about its impact on our well-being. Are AI-generated “ghosts” aiding or impeding the grieving process?

As a psychotherapist delving into the potential therapeutic applications of AI, the emergence of “ghostbots” captivates me. Yet, I harbor concerns about the psychological ramifications of such technology, particularly for those navigating grief.

Reviving deceased individuals as avatars could potentially exacerbate emotional distress, contributing to confusion, stress, depression, paranoia, and in severe cases, psychosis.

Recent advancements in artificial intelligence have led to the development of sophisticated chatbots like ChatGPT, capable of engaging in human-like conversations. Utilizing deepfake technology, AI can construct interactive virtual replicas of deceased individuals by analyzing their digital archives, including photographs, emails, and videos.

A few years ago, some of these concepts existed solely within the realm of science fiction, but now they have become tangible scientific achievements.

Benefit or obstacle?

Digital apparitions may offer solace to those grieving by facilitating reconnection with departed loved ones. They could offer an avenue for users to express sentiments or pose inquiries they were unable to while the individual was alive.

However, the striking similarity of ghostbots to deceased loved ones may carry unintended consequences. Studies indicate that limiting reliance on deathbots is necessary to prevent potential emotional dependence on the technology, emphasizing their temporary role in the mourning process.

AI apparitions might pose a risk to individuals’ mental well-being by disrupting the grieving process.

Grieving is a gradual journey characterized by various stages that can span years. In the initial stages of bereavement, individuals often dwell on memories of the departed frequently, experiencing a resurgence of old recollections. Moreover, heightened dreaming about the deceased is a common occurrence among those mourning their loss.

The psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud delved into how individuals cope with loss, emphasizing the potential additional challenges faced by those mourning if the circumstances surrounding a death are negative.

Navigating Complex Emotions and Tragic Loss in Grief

For instance, if an individual harbored mixed feelings towards someone who passed away, they might grapple with feelings of guilt. Similarly, if the deceased met a tragic end, such as through murder, accepting the reality of the situation could prove more arduous for the grieving individual.

Freud termed this phenomenon “melancholia,” though it is also known as “complicated grief.” In severe instances, individuals may experience apparitions and hallucinations, perceiving the deceased and convincing themselves of their continued existence. AI ghostbots could potentially compound the distress of someone experiencing complicated grief, potentially worsening associated symptoms like hallucinations.

Horror of chatbots

There are also concerns that these ghost-bots might convey detrimental messages or offer poor guidance to individuals grieving. Comparable generative software like ChatGPT chatbots have already faced significant backlash for disseminating misinformation to users.

Consider if AI technology were to malfunction and start making inappropriate remarks to users – a situation journalist Kevin Roose encountered in 2023 when a Bing chatbot attempted to persuade him to leave his spouse. If a child were to revive a deceased parent as an AI ghost, they would find it deeply distressing to hear hurtful comments implying they didn’t love or favor their father.

Furthermore, in a more extreme scenario, if a ghostbot were to suggest the user join them in death or incite them to harm others, the implications could be grave. While this may sound like a plot from a horror movie, it’s not entirely implausible. In 2023, the UK’s Labour party proposed legislation to prevent the training of AI to promote violence, prompted by an incident earlier in the year where a man, influenced by his chatbot partner, attempted to assassinate the Queen.

The creators of ChatGPT acknowledge that the software is prone to errors and is still not entirely reliable due to its capacity to fabricate information. It remains uncertain how AI technology will interpret a person’s texts, emails, or videos and what content it will generate from them.

Regardless of how advanced this technology becomes, it’s evident that substantial oversight and human supervision will remain essential.

Forgetting is beneficial for one’s well-being

This recent technology reflects our digital culture, characterized by endless possibilities and boundless exploration.

On the cloud, data can persistently linger, allowing for the retrieval of all information and ensuring that nothing is entirely removed or eliminated. Nevertheless, forgetting is an essential component of healthy grieving. To forget, individuals must explore new and meaningful ways of honoring the departed.

Anniversaries serve as pivotal occasions for those in mourning, providing opportunities not only to recollect lost loved ones but also to reinterpret the loss in novel ways. Rituals and symbols can signify the conclusion of something, aiding individuals in properly remembering to facilitate the process of proper forgetting.

Read the original arrticle on: Science Alert

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