AI is becoming a primary tool for emotional expression, shaping how people communicate and cope.

AI can create a “false self,” helping users perform roles misaligned with identity.

Educators and therapists must guide AI use toward reflection, not avoidance of real relationships.

Artificial intelligence, in its various forms, has become deeply integrated into the lives of many of the patients I work with in my clinical practice. Nowhere is this more evident than in the stories they tell me of using AI to navigate complex emotional terrain.

I’ve heard increasing stories of people outsourcing their most personal communications to AI chatbots like ChatGPT for everything from writing a memo to a demanding boss, composing a goodbye note to a lover, or even drafting a poem for a dying parent. In these conversations, I’ve been given a glimpse into the new emotional economy: one where algorithms mediate human expression, providing both opportunities and challenges for psychological growth.

But this is not limited to adults. A troubling New York Times article told the story of a teenager who, in the midst of suicidal thoughts, turned not to a parent, peer, or counselor, but to ChatGPT for therapy. The teen described the chatbot as a lifeline in moments of despair.

This extraordinary and troubling example reveals both the promise and peril of AI for young people. AI can provide immediate comfort and structured dialogue, yet it can also risk replacing genuine human connection when it’s most needed. As educators, parents, and clinicians, we must recognize that students are increasingly engaging with AI not just as a tool, but as a........

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