The New York Times [no paywall]: “…While artificial intelligence chatbots promise detailed, personalized answers, they also offer validation on demand — an ability to feel seen, understood and accepted instantly. Your friends and family might get frustrated or annoyed with you, but chatbots tend to be overwhelmingly agreeable and reassuring. Such validation isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Maybe you’re anxious about a work project, but the chatbot says your idea is a winner and praises your creativity. Maybe you get into a big argument with a partner, but ChatGPT tells you how thoughtful and justified your perspective is. However, constant affirmation can be dangerous, resulting in errors in judgment and misplaced certainty. A recent study showed that, if you feed misinformation into A.I. chatbots, they can repeat and elaborate on the false information. The New York Times has also reported that ChatGPT can push users into delusional spirals and may deter people who are suicidal from seeking help. An A.I. chatbot is like a “distorted mirror,” said Dr. Matthew Nour, a psychiatrist and A.I. researcher at Oxford University. You think you’re getting a neutral perspective, he added, but the model is reflecting your own thoughts back, with a fawning glaze…”