AI-Supported Delusional Content

Description

AI content becomes part of persecutory, grandiose, romantic, spiritual, conspiratorial, or mission-based beliefs.

Rationale

When AI content is incorporated into delusional systems — as evidence of persecution, proof of a special mission, or confirmation of conspiratorial beliefs — the AI becomes a tool that actively expands and confirms the delusional framework. This creates a feedback loop that is clinically and forensically significant, particularly in cases where the delusion involves threat-relevant content.

Evidence Base

• Inside a Mass Shooter’s Harrowing History With ChatGPT

  Mark Follman, 2024. Inside a Mass Shooter’s Harrowing History With ChatGPT. Mother Jones.

  News / journalism

• THE NEW INFLUENCING MACHINE: CHATBOTS, AI PSYCHOSIS & BTAM

  Saragosa, P., 2024. THE NEW INFLUENCING MACHINE: CHATBOTS, AI PSYCHOSIS & BTAM. The New York Times, Vol. null, pages. null.

  Commentary / Editorial

• Psychotic episode concurrent with interaction with a large language model (llm): a case report

  Başaran, A.S., Coşar, B. 2026. Psychotic episode concurrent with interaction with a large language model (llm): a case report. BMC Psychiatry, 26(1), pages. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-026-08288-3

  Case report / case series

• The role of artificial intelligence in radicalisation, recruitment and terrorist propaganda: deconstructing violent extremism and reimagining counterterrorism in contemporary digital ecosystems

  N A Nasir Ahmad Ganaie, 2024. The role of artificial intelligence in radicalisation, recruitment and terrorist propaganda: deconstructing violent extremism and reimagining counterterrorism in contemporary digital ecosystems. Frontiers in Political Science, 7(1), pages. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpos.2025.1718396

  Peer-reviewed study (original research)

• Delusional Experiences Emerging From AI Chatbot Interactions or “AI Psychosis”

  Hudon A, Stip E, 2024. Delusional Experiences Emerging From AI Chatbot Interactions or “AI Psychosis”. JMIR Ment Health, 12, e85799. doi: 10.2196/85799.

  Commentary / Editorial

• AI-associated delusions: the missing dimension of mortality

  Idris Altinisik, Utku Igcioglu, Murat Emul, 2024. AI-associated delusions: the missing dimension of mortality. Lancet Psychiatry, Vol 13, pages 456. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(25)00396-7.

  Commentary / Editorial

• Artificial intelligence-associated delusions and large language models: risks, mechanisms of delusion co-creation, and safeguarding strategies

  Hamilton Morrin, MBBS, Luke Nicholls, MAc, Prof Michael Levin, PhD, Prof Jenny Yiend, PhD, Udita Iyengar, PhD, Francesca DelGuidice, MBA, et al., 2026. Artificial intelligence-associated delusions and large language models: risks, mechanisms of delusion co-creation, and safeguarding strategies. The Lancet Psychiatry, 13(6), 522-530.

  Peer-reviewed study (original research)

• It Is the Journey, Not the Destination: Moving From End Points to Trajectories When Assessing Chatbot Mental Health Safety

  Morrin H, Au Yeung J, Agnew Z, Østergaard SD, Pollak TA, 2024. It Is the Journey, Not the Destination: Moving From End Points to Trajectories When Assessing Chatbot Mental Health Safety. JMIR Ment Health, 13(e91454). https://doi.org/10.2196/91454

  Commentary / Editorial

• Characterizing Delusional Spirals through Human-LLM Chat Logs

  Moore J, Mehta A, Agnew W, Anthis JR, Louie R, Mai Y, Yin P, Cheng M, Paech SJ, Klyman K, Chancellor S, Lin E, Haber N, Ong D, 2024. Characterizing Delusional Spirals through Human-LLM Chat Logs. arXiv, 2603.16567v1.

  Peer-reviewed study (original research)

• “AI Psychosis” in Context: How Conversation History Shapes LLM Responses to Delusional Beliefs

  Nicholls L, Hutto R, Soto Z, Morrin H, Pollak T, Korpan R, Carmichael C, 2024. “AI Psychosis” in Context: How Conversation History Shapes LLM Responses to Delusional Beliefs. arXiv, 2604.13860v4.

  Preprint

• Shoggoths, Sycophancy, Psychosis, Oh My: Rethinking Large Language Model Use and Safety

  Clegg, K.-A., 2025. Shoggoths, Sycophancy, Psychosis, Oh My: Rethinking Large Language Model Use and Safety. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 27(2025).

  Peer-reviewed study

• Patients are bringing AI to therapy Highlights from the 2026 Chatbots and Mental Health Survey

  https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/chatbots-mental-health-2026

  Narrative review

• What is AI Psychosis? Psychiatrist Answers 12 Questions About Chatbots & Mental Health

  Girgis, R., 2026. What is AI Psychosis? Psychiatrist Answers 12 Questions About Chatbots & Mental Health. NAM Perspectives.

  Commentary / Editorial

• Psychosis Risk and Generative Artificial Intelligence Use Frequency, Motivations, and Delusion-Like Experiences: Cross-Sectional Survey Study

  Buck, B., & Maheux, A. J., 2024. Psychosis Risk and Generative Artificial Intelligence Use Frequency, Motivations, and Delusion-Like Experiences: Cross-Sectional Survey Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 28(1), e85038. doi: 10.2196/85038

  Peer-reviewed study (original research)