My boyfriend's use of AI is affecting his ability to think for himself

A reader wrote about her 44-year-old boyfriend of eight years, who has ADHD and runs his own business. AI has revolutionised how he works, but she says he now seems unable to do anything without it. He is a heavy ChatGPT user—even for things with better non-AI alternatives, such as checking train times rather than using Trainline—and his ChatGPT Wrapped placed him in the top 0.3% of users worldwide.

She worries about his capacity for independent thought and the environmental impact, while recognising AI is useful at work. Dr Stephen Blumenthal raised the possibility of a new "chatbot overdependence syndrome," warning that growing reliance on AI could erode ordinary functioning.

Henry Shelford, CEO of ADHD UK, said AI can be a helpful "flotation aid" for someone with ADHD, supporting planning, structure and productivity, but it can also take people down rabbit holes and foster overdependence. Blumenthal added that trouble starts when people begin to impute human qualities to AI and seek validation from it.

United Kingdom

chatgpt, chatgpt wrapped, ai dependence, adhd, independent thought, overdependence, environmental impact, trainline, productivity, adhd uk