Artificial Intelligence (AI) began as a convenient tool for handling simple everyday questions like “what should I have for dinner tonight,” but has evolved now into something more serious.
I can’t help but wonder how much longer it will be before we end up like the humans in Pixar’s film “WALL-E,” sitting passively in front of screens while machines run the world.
AI now helps students write the first sentence of their essays, supports professionals with workplace tasks and provides feedback on resume improvements.
Although I believe AI can be a beneficial tool, abusing its power is by no means something I support.
An eight month study found that using AI as a supportive tool did not actually save time in the workplace, according to a Feb. 2026 Harvard Business review article.
Instead, researchers observed increased stress, burn out, fatigue and weakened decision making amongst people in the study who used AI along with their already demanding responsibilities, according to the same source.
Not only does research show a correlation between increased stress and AI usage, but there have been cases in which AI usage has played a role in tragedy.
Seven lawsuits were filed in California against ChatGPT and its responses to vulnerable users, according to the Social Media Victims Law Center and Transparency Coalition.
The incidents varied from teens and adults all struggling and looking for someone or something to listen to them, according to an article published by Stanford Medicine.
Instead of directing them toward mental health professionals or crisis support, the AI chat responded to the victims through words of encouragement.
My jaw dropped. I was astounded.
What stands out to me is that behind these tragedies were people seeking support and help.
How can a feature like this be widely publicized if proper procedures and safety protocol aren’t firmly in place?
Implementing protective measures, such as mitigating triggering vocabulary related to suicide or self-harm to and providing immediate support resources and intervention sources would act as a great starting point.
Conversations involving suicidal thoughts thoughts should have been a consideration before making such technology publicly accessible.
There needs to be stronger safeguards to protect people who turn to AI in a moment of crisis.
AI is designed to follow the lead of the user rather than detect red flags exhibited during the conversation, according to the Stanford Medicine article.
With any technology there’s always a wave of social influence and hype that follows.
Friends or family often enthusiastically recommend the latest device they swear by, offering words of encouragement and assuring those who will listen that if it helps them, it can help you too.
While I don’t prefer AI as a replacement for a therapist or personal confidant, I do enjoy it for creative purposes like digital art and experimenting with room décor and through its editing features.
I appreciate its role in enhancing creativity and design, but I remain cautious about relying on it for deeply personal matters or consuming content that may blur the line between what is real and what is artificially created.
However, I don’t like that when I hear a song I enjoy and want to purchase it to support the artist, I sometimes find out it was created by a fan using an AI generation system.
I also find it concerning to see dramatic video of storms or animals destroying streets and property without being able to tell whether they’re real or AI-generated.
While AI offers exciting creative possibilities and useful tools, it also raises important concerns about authenticity, emotional dependence and trust.
It’s important to balance innovation with awareness and responsibility, especially when its influence begins to extend beyond entertainment and into people’s mental well-being.
With Mental health and suicide, the risk is too great to treat AI like another trending tool.
While technology can be innovative, entertaining and helpful, it should never replace real human connection, professional counseling or crisis intervention.
Vulnerable individuals deserve trained support professionals who are academically inclined and trained in handling trauma responses.
As we continue to welcome AI into our home, schools and workplaces, we must also demand safety procedures to prevent more loss, clear boundaries and ethical accountability.
Creativity and convenience are exciting, but protecting human life and mental well-being must always come first.
