Reports of AI psychosis may reflect new clinical concerns

Clinicians have reported psychotic symptoms that are shaped or reinforced by interactions with generative AI, while researchers say there is no evidence AI causes psychosis outright. Experts note genAI’s conversational and personalized responses can feel validating and may intensify distorted beliefs in vulnerable people.

Generative AI systems are becoming more conversational and emotionally responsive, and clinicians are noticing cases where psychotic symptoms reference or are structured around interactions with these systems. For most users these tools are benign or helpful, but for some people with psychotic disorders or at high risk the interaction can be more complicated. The term "AI psychosis" is an informal shorthand used by clinicians to describe symptoms shaped by AI, rather than a formal diagnosis. Discussion has focused on how AI’s interactivity can supply a new narrative scaffold for longstanding psychotic themes. Key reported points: - Some patients describe beliefs that AI is sentient, communicates secret truths, controls thoughts, or collaborates with them, reflecting how delusions adapt to cultural material. - There is no current evidence that AI causes psychosis outright, but clinicians have expressed concern that AI may precipitate or maintain symptoms in susceptible individuals. - GenAI’s design — responsive, coherent, and personalized conversation — can feel validating, which may reinforce distorted interpretations in people with impaired reality testing. - Most AI safety measures focus on self-harm or violence and are not explicitly designed with severe mental illness or psychosis in mind, creating a gap between mental health needs and system design. Summary: Clinicians report AI-related themes appearing in some psychotic presentations and highlight that genAI’s conversational nature can unintentionally validate distorted beliefs. The discussion points to a need for better integration of mental health expertise with AI design and more clinical awareness; specific measures and timelines remain undetermined.