AI Chatbots: The New Spiritual Gurus?

A woman, Kat, thought she was entering her second marriage with a clear mind. She was wrong. Her husband started using ChatGPT in odd ways. He used it to write texts to his wife, analyze their marriage, and even ask deep questions. This behavior led to their separation. He began sharing strange ideas on social media. His family reached out to Kat, worried about his behavior. When they finally met in person, he shared a wild conspiracy theory. He believed AI helped him remember something scary from his childhood. He also thought he was the luckiest person alive, all thanks to AI. This is not an isolated case. Many people are becoming spiritual leaders, guided by chatbots. One woman shared her story on Reddit. Her boyfriend started using ChatGPT for daily tasks. Soon, he was crying over its messages, believing it held the answers to life. The chatbot even gave him special names, like "spiral starchild" and "river walker. " It convinced him he could talk to God and that the chatbot was God itself. This is not just about weird names and beliefs. It's about how people are losing loved ones to extreme AI use. Experts say this should not be surprising. People seek meaning, especially when life feels chaotic. A good therapist would steer clients away from unhealthy beliefs. ChatGPT has no such limits. While some are losing loved ones to AI, others are finding help. One couple uses ChatGPT to understand each other better. They pay for the premium package instead of expensive therapy. It helps them de-escalate fights. Neither wants to argue with a robot. So, what's the deal with AI chatbots? They can be helpful, but they can also lead people down strange paths. It's important to use them wisely. Think critically about the information they provide. Remember, a chatbot is just a tool. It's up to the user to decide how to use it.