People are not becoming “AIholic”: Questioning the “ChatGPT addiction” construct

IF 3.7 2区医学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Addictive behaviors Pub Date : 2025-03-09 DOI:10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108325

Víctor Ciudad-Fernández , Cora von Hammerstein , Joël Billieux

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots such as ChatGPT have rapidly gained popularity in many daily life spheres, even sparking scholarly debate about a potential “ChatGPT addiction.” Throughout history, new technologies have repeatedly been associated with widespread concerns and “moral panics,” especially when their adoption is sudden and involves significant changes in daily functioning. It is thus no surprise that researchers have examined whether intensive use of ChatGPT can be considered an addictive behavior. At least four scales measuring ChatGPT addiction have been developed so far, all framed after substance use disorder criteria. Drawing parallels with previous cases of pathologizing everyday behaviors, we caution against labeling and defining intensive or habitual chatbot use as addictive behavior. To label a behavior as addictive, there must be convincing evidence of negative consequences, impaired control, psychological distress, and functional impairment. However, the existing research on problematic use of ChatGPT or other conversational AI bots fails to provide such robust scientific evidence. Caution is thus warranted to avoid (over)pathologization, inappropriate or unnecessary treatments, and excessive regulation of tools that have many benefits when used in a mindful and regulated manner.

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人们并没有变得“狂热”：质疑“聊天成瘾”的概念

像ChatGPT这样的生成式人工智能（AI）聊天机器人在许多日常生活领域迅速流行起来，甚至引发了关于潜在的“ChatGPT成瘾”的学术争论。纵观历史，新技术一再与广泛的担忧和“道德恐慌”联系在一起，特别是当它们的采用是突然的，并且涉及日常功能的重大变化时。因此，毫不奇怪，研究人员已经研究了密集使用ChatGPT是否可以被认为是一种成瘾行为。到目前为止，至少有四个衡量ChatGPT成瘾的量表已经开发出来，它们都是根据物质使用障碍标准制定的。与之前将日常行为病态化的案例相似，我们警告不要将密集或习惯性的聊天机器人使用标签和定义为成瘾行为。要给一种行为贴上成瘾的标签，必须有令人信服的证据表明其负面后果、控制受损、心理困扰和功能损害。然而，现有的关于ChatGPT或其他会话AI机器人使用问题的研究未能提供如此有力的科学证据。因此，谨慎是必要的，以避免（过度）病理化，不适当或不必要的治疗，以及对工具的过度监管，当以一种有意识和规范的方式使用时，这些工具有很多好处。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Addictive behaviors 医学-药物滥用

CiteScore

8.40

自引率

4.50%

发文量

283

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： Addictive Behaviors is an international peer-reviewed journal publishing high quality human research on addictive behaviors and disorders since 1975. The journal accepts submissions of full-length papers and short communications on substance-related addictions such as the abuse of alcohol, drugs and nicotine, and behavioral addictions involving gambling and technology. We primarily publish behavioral and psychosocial research but our articles span the fields of psychology, sociology, psychiatry, epidemiology, social policy, medicine, pharmacology and neuroscience. While theoretical orientations are diverse, the emphasis of the journal is primarily empirical. That is, sound experimental design combined with valid, reliable assessment and evaluation procedures are a requisite for acceptance. However, innovative and empirically oriented case studies that might encourage new lines of inquiry are accepted as well. Studies that clearly contribute to current knowledge of etiology, prevention, social policy or treatment are given priority. Scholarly commentaries on topical issues, systematic reviews, and mini reviews are encouraged. We especially welcome multimedia papers that incorporate video or audio components to better display methodology or findings. Studies can also be submitted to Addictive Behaviors? companion title, the open access journal Addictive Behaviors Reports, which has a particular interest in ''non-traditional'', innovative and empirically-oriented research such as negative/null data papers, replication studies, case reports on novel treatments, and cross-cultural research.