Sam Altman warns of emotional attachment to AI models: ‘Rising dependence may blur the lines…’

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has raised important concerns about the growing emotional attachment users are forming with AI models like ChatGPT. Following the recent launch of GPT-5, many users expressed strong preferences for the earlier GPT-4o, with some describing the AI as a close companion or even a “digital spouse.” Altman warns that while AI can provide valuable support, often acting as a therapist or life coach, there are subtle risks when users unknowingly rely on AI in ways that may negatively impact their long-term well-being. This increasing dependence could blur the lines between reality and AI, posing new ethical challenges for both developers and society.

Sam Altman highlights emotional attachment as a new phenomenon in AI use