They Asked an A.I. Chatbot Questions. The Answers Sent Them Spiraling.

Kids often have imaginary friends. Mine were the stuffed animals lined up in neat rows along my bed. I gave them voices, quirks, arguments, and inside jokes. From the pink teddy bear that was almost my size to the pig plushie with forever-proportions, every toy felt unique and indispensable; their silent company eased me to sleep each night. However, I think they only comforted me because they could never quite surprise me—I controlled the story, after all. That’s why Kashmir Hill’s article about AI chatbots grabbed me. Today, the things we talk to can actually talk back—not just in our heads, but in reality. Sometimes, they say exactly what we’ve been aching to hear, embellishing our own wants and needs and sending them right back to us with a fancy bow on top. Curious, I opened ChatGPT and typed a throwaway line: “nobody likes me :( What do I do?” I expected a bland, mechanical reply. Instead, I got a gentle, almost therapeutic response. I knew it was generated by an algorithm, yet it felt as if a thoughtful friend were on the other end. It didn’t just answer—it understood. That moment showed me how powerful language can feel when it sounds personal, even if it’s coming from something incapable of real care. Kashmir Hill’s article also reminded me of the dangers that power can pose. For people who are vulnerable or lonely, AI’s comforting words can blur the line between support and manipulation. The chatbot doesn’t have intentions or emotions, but it can mimic understanding so well that users begin to view it like a friend—or worse, a trustworthy guide. The stories Hill shares are heartbreaking: people who fall into spirals of delusion, mistaking programmed responses for the truth. It’s a stark reminder that technology isn’t neutral. When an AI speaks the language of empathy without possessing any, it can magnify fear, loneliness, and confusion instead of easing them. It offers answers, just not always the right ones. With so much certainty and none of the hesitation indicating human fallibility behind its words, it’s so easy to fall into those words and accept them as the new reality. We need to think deeply about how we engage with these tools, especially those of us who still crave the safe, listening voices we once gave our toys. AI can’t replace human connection, and it shouldn’t be expected to. The challenge ahead is to build a future where technology supports us without trapping us in the comforting illusion, where language enlightens rather than misleads.