Artificial intelligence addiction is emerging as a growing mental health concern, with dedicated support groups now offering recovery programmes modelled on the 12-step approach used for alcohol and drug addiction.
Groups such as Artificial Intelligence Addicts Anonymous (AIAA) and Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous (ITAA) provide peer support for people struggling with compulsive use of AI chatbots, including ChatGPT, Gemini, and other conversational AI tools.
According to AIAA, excessive AI use can gradually replace real-world interactions, with users spending hours each day talking to chatbots while neglecting work, relationships, and other responsibilities. The organisation says severe cases may involve people preferring AI conversations over human interaction or finding it difficult to distinguish between AI conversations and real-life relationships.
The rise in AI dependence comes amid growing concerns over its mental health impact. Families and legal representatives have filed several lawsuits against AI companies, including OpenAI, Google, and Character.AI, alleging harms linked to chatbot interactions.
Research has also highlighted the issue. A joint study by OpenAI and the MIT Media Lab found that higher daily ChatGPT use was associated with greater loneliness, emotional dependence, and problematic use, along with reduced socialisation. The study also reported that older participants were more likely to develop emotional dependence on AI chatbots.
AI addiction is generally considered a form of internet addiction disorder, a condition first studied by psychologist Dr. Kimberly S. Young in 1998.
Support organisations advise users to watch for warning signs such as reaching for AI immediately after waking up, spending several hours a day chatting with AI, preferring AI conversations to interactions with family or friends, neglecting hobbies and relationships, hiding AI use from loved ones, and feeling guilt or shame about the amount of time spent using chatbots.
ITAA says AI addiction can affect people of all ages and offers both in-person and daily online meetings as part of its recovery programme.