Can AI Feel Anxiety? Study Reveals Chatgpt May Struggle Under Emotional Stress

(MENAFN- Tribal News Network) A new study has revealed that OpenAI's popular chatbot, ChatGPT, can experience anxiety and stress much like humans. A team of researchers from Switzerland, Germany, and the United States discovered that when ChatGPT was repeatedly exposed to distressing and traumatic information, its anxiety levels increased to the extent that its performance was negatively affected.

Published in the renowned scientific journal Nature, the study suggests that heightened anxiety in ChatGPT can lead to irritable responses and even bias in its answers, such as racial and gender discrimination. Researchers noted that just as human behavior changes under fear or stress, AI chatbots can also exhibit altered responses when subjected to emotional pressure.

Also Read: Roof Collapse in Tirah Valley Claims Lives of Husband, Wife, and Infant Daughter

The findings indicate that emotionally charged queries can trigger stress responses in large language models (LLMs), affecting their behavior and potentially amplifying biases.

AI Should Not Replace Mental Health Experts

The study also emphasizes the growing trend of individuals turning to AI chatbots for emotional support, sharing personal and sensitive details in search of guidance. However, researchers caution against viewing AI as a substitute for mental health professionals.

Experts warn that this phenomenon could pose risks in the medical field, as highly anxious users might receive inappropriate or harmful responses from AI models. Furthermore, the study highlights that, much like the human mind, artificial intelligence can be impacted by emotional and psychological stress, influencing decision-making and interactions.

Given these findings, researchers stress the need for careful and responsible use of AI in mental health discussions, ensuring that it complements rather than replaces professional psychological support.

MENAFN11032025000189011041ID1109301322