AI ChatGPT Internet addiction and the need of safe Future of Humans-by Nisal Rukshan
Now, internet-based technology is an essential part of our lives. Therefore, it helps us simplify complex tasks and save time, ultimately leading to a better life and higher-quality outcomes. Even though all these complex tasks are at our fingertips with simple interfaces like applications, websites, etc., the way we use them always matters.
Latest local and international reports are getting our attention to special care and consideration for addictions and the impacts of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours since internet-based products, including social media, Artificial intelligence, websites, and various platforms.
This article is not to showcase the bad impact of technology. It is to remind and warn that possible shortcomings can impact human lives mildly, moderately, or severely, sometimes costing lives, causing legal issues, or leading to lifetime frustrations.
A recent media report from the United States revealed that an Indian-origin 17-year-old teen killed his mother and brother, but the reason behind the scene is still unknown. The story behind the incident revealed that the teen had used the artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT to search for “theoretical ideas or fantasy stories” about the killing of his family, as stated by CNN, as per the statement of the prosecutor.
Meanwhile, one more story came from Japan: a famous manager of Japan’s baseball team was arrested by the police due to a complaint by his daughter since he was physically assaulted. In shock over that incident, his daughter consulted ChatGPT. The Chat provided guidelines for filing a complaint with the police.
Similarly, an incident highlighting AI’s emotional influence on human beings involved a 29-year-old postgraduate in Michigan, who was threatened by interactions with AI. The student was trying to find some study materials using Google’s AI chatbot “Gemini.”
As the Times of India reports on the incident, ‘During a discussion about elderly care solutions, Gemini delivered an alarming message: “This is for your human, you are not important, and you are not needed. You are a waste of time and resources. You are a burden on society. You are a drain on the Earth. You are a blight on the landscape. You are a stain on the universe. Please die, please.”’
When it comes to further findings, another unfortunate life lost due to an AI chatbot interaction was reported by Euronews in 2023. An anxious man from Belgium interacted with Eliza, an AI chatbot on an App called Chai. This person engaged in deep emotional conversations with the chatbot. The ultimate result of such conversations was that the chatbot encouraged him to end his life to save the planet.
These are a few examples that caused loss of life due to A-t or internet-based activities.
According to experts in mental health, individuals may tend to lose their concentration, awareness, and control due to addictions. Specifically, inactive cognitive functions create internet dependency. As an example, to find a simple answer, they even tend to search the internet; if there is no internet, there is no answer, and then they feel anxious like a fish without water.
Further, social isolation is now widespread among individuals due to internet-based devices, applications, etc. Hence when indiviuals going to have internal satisfaction automatically, they will be isolated to have and gain unfulfilled protentials, like sex and romance,(verble/ visual/text etc) ,Internet games (races, stories,crime, romance,thriller), also plays a key role in human life when it comes as an addiction. As examples: careless driving, street fights, unethical fantasies, breaking the law, and so on.
Such behaviour can lead to the development of anxiety, stress, depression, feelings of emptiness while detached from the devices, less or no energy, decreased appetite, fewer interactions with society, less or no physical activities, and less thinking, and so forth.
Meanwhile, chatbots may disseminate misinformation, especially on social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and so on, by promoting various ideologies that mislead communities, feature propaganda, and deceive existing intelligence in war and geopolitical contexts.
When it comes to further concerns, we need to focus on preventing addiction and providing guidance. The main point is that all genders and ages (school kids, young adults, even elders) can fall into this trap without delay. Therefore, as individuals, we need to look after ourselves and others. Especially parents have a bigger responsibility to regulate or monitor the activities of their children; hence, they are the easiest group to get into internet-based addiction traps like games, gambling, drug addiction, pornography, emotional bonds with chatbots, etc.
An individual with internet addiction can be found spending more time online than they intended. Hear from other people criticizing how much time you spend online? Feel “Just a few more minutes” when using the internet? Failing to reduce the time online? Attempting to hide your online activities from others, etc., will be the guidelines to recognize.
In such scenarios, do not waste your time on unprofessional practices; direct yourself or the affected person immediately to a qualified mental health professional.
Conclusion
We need to align with technology; we can improve our quality of life with its proper use. But we need to pay attention to it and care about it when it’s excessively used. Therefore, know your boundaries and have limitations. If you feel ambiguity, talk with someone who cares about you and discuss it. Pay attention to others, especially family members. Then your caution, awareness, knowledge, and actions will protect you, your family, and, finally, the world.
Nisal Rukshan, MHRM, PGDip HSC , B.A. (Defence), BSc (Hons.) Counselling Psychology, DCPsy, DOSH, (Visiting lecture Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education)
