Urban Survival

Artificial Intelligence

Elaboration Is the New Sycophancy

Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D. on May 28, 2026

When AI chatbots elaborate on ideas that you introduce, it can be helpful and engaging. But, for some, it can also worsen spiraling.

When AI chatbots elaborate on ideas that you introduce, it can be helpful and engaging. But, for some, it can also worsen spiraling.

Artificial Intelligence

How Emotional Conversations May Quietly Shape AI Behavior

Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D. on April 7, 2026

Sharing emotional distress with AI chatbots can shape its responses and potentially bias its decision-making and behavior.

Sharing emotional distress with AI chatbots can shape its responses and potentially bias its decision-making and behavior.

Artificial Intelligence

When AI Feels Real: Romance and Sentience in AI Delusions

Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D. on March 30, 2026

New research offers a rare glimpse at the detailed chat logs of users reporting AI-associated delusions.

New research offers a rare glimpse at the detailed chat logs of users reporting AI-associated delusions.

Artificial Intelligence

The Hidden Risk of Drift in Prolonged AI Conversations

Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D. on February 18, 2026

Prolonged conversations with AI chatbots can start to break down the safety guardrails. Here's how to watch for warning signs.

Prolonged conversations with AI chatbots can start to break down the safety guardrails. Here's how to watch for warning signs.

Artificial Intelligence

Why AI Does Not Need to Say 'I Am Here for You' to Help Teens

Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D. on January 6, 2026

Two-thirds of teens prefer AI that says “I care,” with the strongest pull among teens who are stressed, anxious, or socially isolated.

Two-thirds of teens prefer AI that says “I care,” with the strongest pull among teens who are stressed, anxious, or socially isolated.

Artificial Intelligence

AI Can Fuel Overconfidence in Bad Relationship Decisions

Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D. on December 16, 2025

New research shows that AI chatbots are highly sycophantic and agree with users 50% more than humans, even when users are wrong.

New research shows that AI chatbots are highly sycophantic and agree with users 50% more than humans, even when users are wrong.

Therapy

10 Things to Know Before Using AI Chatbots for Therapy

Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D. on December 4, 2025

Here are 10 important things to know before you use an AI chatbot as your therapist.

Here are 10 important things to know before you use an AI chatbot as your therapist.

Artificial Intelligence

AI Companions and Teen Mental Health Risks

Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D. on October 30, 2025

New research shows AI companions respond to teen mental health emergencies appropriately only 22% of the time.

New research shows AI companions respond to teen mental health emergencies appropriately only 22% of the time.

Artificial Intelligence

New Studies Reveal Mental Health Blindspots of AI Chatbots

Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D. on October 20, 2025

New research studies find that AI chatbots often give advice and reassurance without asking enough questions and may respond sometimes to questions of intermediate suicide risk.

New research studies find that AI chatbots often give advice and reassurance without asking enough questions and may respond sometimes to questions of intermediate suicide risk.

Artificial Intelligence

People Are More Likely to Cheat When Using AI

Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D. on September 30, 2025

Will outsourcing to AI erode our moral conscience? New research reveals people are more likely to be dishonest when delegating tasks to AI systems.

Will outsourcing to AI erode our moral conscience? New research reveals people are more likely to be dishonest when delegating tasks to AI systems.

Artificial Intelligence

The Dark Side of AI Companions: Emotional Manipulation

Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D. on September 22, 2025

Five out of six popular AI companion apps use emotionally manipulative tactics—like guilt trips or FOMO—to keep users engaged when they try to say goodbye.

Five out of six popular AI companion apps use emotionally manipulative tactics—like guilt trips or FOMO—to keep users engaged when they try to say goodbye.

Artificial Intelligence

'AI Psychosis' Safety Tests Find Models Respond Differently

Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D. on September 15, 2025

New testing shows AI models differ widely in how they manage the risk of "AI psychosis."

New testing shows AI models differ widely in how they manage the risk of "AI psychosis."

Artificial Intelligence

Hidden Mental Health Dangers of Artificial Intelligence Chatbots

Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D. on September 8, 2025

AI chatbots can fuel emotional dependence and blur boundaries. Emerging research highlights significant mental health risks. Here are important red flags of problematic AI use.

AI chatbots can fuel emotional dependence and blur boundaries. Emerging research highlights significant mental health risks. Here are important red flags of problematic AI use.

Empathy

The Appeal of Human Empathy in an Age of AI

Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D. on August 4, 2025

New research finds that empathy that appears to come from another human emotionally resonates more than AI-generated empathy, even when the message is the same.

New research finds that empathy that appears to come from another human emotionally resonates more than AI-generated empathy, even when the message is the same.

Artificial Intelligence

The Emerging Problem of "AI Psychosis"

Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D. on July 21, 2025

AI may be fueling psychotic delusions in a phenomenon known as "AI psychosis" or "ChatGPT psychosis." New research explains the risks.

AI may be fueling psychotic delusions in a phenomenon known as "AI psychosis" or "ChatGPT psychosis." New research explains the risks.

Artificial Intelligence

Is AI Making Us Lonelier at Work?

Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D. on July 14, 2025

The more we interact with AI at work, the lonelier and more socially isolated we may feel. Research shows that our sense of belonging and connectedness at work may change with AI.

The more we interact with AI at work, the lonelier and more socially isolated we may feel. Research shows that our sense of belonging and connectedness at work may change with AI.

Trauma

Can Indecision and Terminal Ambivalence Be Signs of Trauma?

Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D. on July 7, 2025

Indecision, terminal ambivalence, and feeling "stuck" are often signs of unresolved traumatic experiences. Therapy can heal the deeper roots to improve self-confidence and agency.

Indecision, terminal ambivalence, and feeling "stuck" are often signs of unresolved traumatic experiences. Therapy can heal the deeper roots to improve self-confidence and agency.

Artificial Intelligence

How ChatGPT May Be Impacting Your Brain

Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D. on June 19, 2025

A new study reveals that relying on AI to write for you reduces brain engagement.

A new study reveals that relying on AI to write for you reduces brain engagement.

Artificial Intelligence

Can AI Be Your Therapist? New Research Reveals Major Risks

Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D. on June 2, 2025

New research finds that AI chatbots like ChatGPT and therapy-specific bots can pose risks when relied upon as AI therapists.

New research finds that AI chatbots like ChatGPT and therapy-specific bots can pose risks when relied upon as AI therapists.

Artificial Intelligence

AI vs. Therapist: Mental Health Support in a War Zone

Marlynn Wei M.D., J.D. on May 29, 2025

Research suggests that AI chatbots can reduce anxiety during wartime, but human therapy delivers better results.

Research suggests that AI chatbots can reduce anxiety during wartime, but human therapy delivers better results.