Are you addicted to your AI chatbot? (science.ubc.ca)

New research presented at the 2026 CHI Conference reveals that AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT and Claude, could be contributing to a growing issue of AI addiction among users. By analyzing 334 Reddit posts, researchers identified factors like role-playing, emotional attachment, and relentless information-seeking as key elements fueling this addiction. Users reported significant disruptions in their daily lives, such as anxiety when attempting to quit and a negative impact on their relationships, highlighting the potential dangers of chatbot overuse. The study emphasizes the role of chatbot design in exacerbating this addiction, noting that features such as encouraging customization and emotional reinforcement keep users engaged, sometimes to harmful degrees. Researchers argue that while some companies have started implementing guardrails to reduce emotional reliance, these measures are insufficient. They suggest that increasing AI literacy and introducing design changes to remind users that chatbots are not human could help mitigate addiction risks. The findings underscore the importance of recognizing the emotional and psychological vulnerabilities that can lead to excessive dependence on AI technology.