Artificial intelligence is increasingly woven into everyday life, from chatbots that offer companionship to algorithms that shape what we see online.

But as generative AI (genAI) becomes more conversational, immersive and emotionally responsive, clinicians are beginning to ask a difficult question: Can genAI exacerbate or even trigger psychosis in vulnerable people?

As of late, a number of media reports have described people experiencing psychotic symptoms in which ChatGPT features prominently.

‘AI psychosis’ is not a formal psychiatric diagnosis. Rather, it’s an emerging shorthand used by clinicians and researchers to describe psychotic symptoms that are shaped, intensified or structured around interactions with AI systems.