White House AI advisor David Sacks downplays concerns about "AI psychosis"

David Sacks, the White House special advisor on AI and crypto, has dismissed the idea of "AI psychosis" as a modern version of the moral panic that surrounded social media in its early years. Speaking on the "All-In Podcast," Sacks downplayed concerns that artificial intelligence chatbots like ChatGPT can trigger serious mental health issues, calling the concept more of a societal reaction than a clinical reality. While some users have reported experiencing delusions or worsening mental health after prolonged interactions with AI, Sacks argued that these cases are not caused by AI itself but rather reflect pre-existing vulnerabilities. He suggested that the phenomenon is less about the technology and more about how individuals with underlying mental health challenges may misuse AI as a substitute for professional help. Sacks compared the current discourse around AI psychosis to the fears that emerged during the rise of social media, when concerns about screen time and online behavior were often amplified without strong evidence. He emphasized that the root causes of today’s mental health crisis lie elsewhere—particularly in the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdowns, which he believes disrupted social connections and mental well-being on a national scale. A psychiatrist quoted in a previous Business Insider report noted that while some patients developed troubling behaviors after using chatbots, the AI did not cause the issues outright. Instead, it acted as a catalyst for existing conditions, especially in those already prone to delusion or emotional instability. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has also acknowledged the risks, stating that while most users can distinguish between reality and AI-generated content, a small group may struggle with that boundary. In response, OpenAI recently introduced new safeguards in ChatGPT, including prompts encouraging users to take breaks after extended conversations and updated responses to sensitive personal queries. Sacks stressed that AI is a tool, not a cause. He believes the focus should remain on addressing the broader mental health challenges facing the country rather than blaming emerging technologies.