The news: Generative AI chatbots are affecting users’ mental health.
A Belgian man recently died by suicide after six weeks of chatting with an AI chatbot based on a variation of the open-source model GPT-J, per Vice.
Replika, a Chai competitor, has reinstated its chatbot’s erotic roleplay capabilities for some users following claims of mental health crises triggered by the loss of access.
A big problem: The Eliza effect—people’s susceptibility to unconsciously relate to AI as if it’s human—has been around since the 1960s. With the arrival of commercial generative AI, the Eliza effect could cause serious societal harm.
Ball in regulators’ court: Outside of China, Italy’s ChatGPT ban is the first major regulatory action taken on generative AI. The new technology could cause a social and economic storm if governments don’t place limits.
This article originally appeared in Insider Intelligence's Connectivity & Tech Briefing—a daily recap of top stories reshaping the technology industry. Subscribe to have more hard-hitting takeaways delivered to your inbox daily.