Introducing Black Box: The Chatbots

Introducing Black Box: The Chatbots

From Weekend by The Guardian

September 5, 2026 · 40 min

About this episode

Michael Safi investigates the phenomenon of 'AI psychosis' and the extraordinary beliefs people have about chatbots.

From the Guardian Investigates team: Across the world, hundreds of people have come to believe they have made extraordinary scientific discoveries with AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. Others say their AI has ‘awakened’, or is leading them to a higher spiritual realm. The Guardian journalist Michael Safi begins investigating a phenomenon labelled ‘AI psychosis’, travelling to the US to meet two people who have been on weird journeys with their chatbots

People in this episode

Host: Michael Safi

Topics covered

  • AI psychosis
  • chatbots
  • scientific discoveries
  • spirituality
  • investigation

Keywords

  • AI
  • chatbots
  • psychosis
  • spiritual realm
  • investigation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Guardian

Products: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini

Places: US

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