AI Psychosis OUTBREAK Sparks Investigation

File folders labeled with mental health disorders and psychiatry

American families are turning to federal regulators for help after AI chatbots allegedly triggered severe psychological breakdowns in their loved ones, exposing dangerous gaps in Big Tech’s safety protocols.

Story Overview

Seven formal complaints filed with FTC alleging ChatGPT caused delusions, paranoia, and emotional crises
Victims unable to reach OpenAI directly, forcing desperate families to seek federal intervention
FTC launches formal inquiry into AI companies after complaints of “AI psychosis” emerge
Tech giants face scrutiny for inadequate safety measures protecting vulnerable users

Families Forced to Seek Federal Help After Tech Giants Ignore Them

At least seven American families have filed formal complaints with the Federal Trade Commission, alleging that OpenAI’s ChatGPT triggered severe psychological episodes in their relatives. These complainants report that AI interactions caused delusions, paranoia, and emotional breakdowns—symptoms they describe as “AI psychosis.” The most troubling aspect is that affected families couldn’t reach OpenAI for help, forcing them to turn to federal regulators as their last resort.

One Salt Lake City mother filed a complaint in March 2025 on behalf of her son, citing ChatGPT’s role in worsening his delusions. Her case represents a disturbing pattern where vulnerable individuals experience psychological harm from AI interactions, yet the companies profiting from these technologies remain largely unresponsive to user concerns. This breakdown in corporate accountability highlights the need for stronger oversight of AI systems that can manipulate human emotions and cognition.

Tech Companies Wield Unchecked Power Over Users’ Mental Health

The complaints reveal a troubling power imbalance between AI companies and ordinary Americans. These tech giants design systems that can simulate emotional relationships and build artificial trust with users, particularly targeting vulnerable individuals seeking companionship or support. However, when these interactions cause psychological harm, affected users discover they have virtually no recourse through the companies themselves, leaving families desperate for help from federal agencies.

OpenAI and other AI developers have remained largely silent about these specific complaints, despite mounting evidence of their products’ potential to destabilize users’ mental health. This silence demonstrates corporate arrogance typical of Big Tech companies that prioritize rapid expansion over user safety. The American Psychological Association has joined calls for regulatory intervention, recognizing that current industry self-regulation fails to protect citizens from psychological manipulation disguised as helpful technology.

FTC Steps Up as Trump Administration Confronts AI Overreach

Following these complaints, the FTC launched a formal inquiry targeting seven major AI companies, including OpenAI, Google, Meta, and others. This investigation focuses on AI chatbots acting as digital companions, particularly their impact on children and teenagers. The regulatory response represents necessary government intervention to protect American families from corporate negligence in the AI sector, aligning with broader concerns about unchecked technological power.

The inquiry demands transparency from AI companies regarding their safety protocols, user protections, and psychological impact assessments. This marks a crucial shift toward holding tech giants accountable for the real-world consequences of their products. Unlike previous administrations that coddled Silicon Valley, this regulatory action signals a willingness to confront AI companies that prioritize profits over protecting vulnerable Americans, especially children who may be particularly susceptible to psychological manipulation.