Black Box: The Chatbots | HappyAccident | Ep 3 – podcast
Why are AI chatbots pulling so many people down a rabbit hole? Our answer starts with the world’s first-ever chatbot, the strange effect it had on people and the ‘time bomb’ that exploded when ChatGPT was released four years ago. The result is a strange experiment we are all livi
This story summarizes reporting from The Guardian. Read the original for full context. Wire items stay in our news sitemap for seven days. Editorial policy.
Presented by Michael Safi; produced by George McDonagh and Alex Atack; music by Rudi Zygadlo; sound design by Brian McNamara; executive producer Joshua Kelly3 Sept 2026, 01:39 pmUpdated 1h ago2 min readEuropeUnited Kingdom
United Kingdom — Presented by Michael Safi; produced by George McDonagh and Alex Atack; music by Rudi Zygadlo; sound design by Brian McNamara; executive producer Joshua Kelly
Black Box: The Chatbots | Happy Accident | Ep 3 – podcast
Why are AI chatbots pulling so many people down a rabbit hole? Our answer starts with the world’s first-ever chatbot, the strange effect it had on people and the ‘time bomb’ that exploded when ChatGPT was released four years ago. The result is a strange experiment we are all living through – whether we know it or not
Studies and surveys cited in this episode:
Amelia Miller’s interviews with AI researchers , engineers, product managers and executives.
The 2022 Anthropic pre-print study that identified sycophancy as a behavioural trait of LLMs. And another pre-print paper the following year that found the way LLMs have been trained appeared to be increasing those sycophantic tendencies.
How longer context windows appear to have contributed to “AI psychosis”.
The Oxford pre-print study that found mass-market LLMs across the board had become more “relationship seeking”.
Two-thirds of young people (aged 25-34) in the UK have turned to AI chatbots instead of loved ones to discuss emotional problems.
ChatGPT may be the largest provider of mental health support in the US.
Studies and surveys cited in this episode:
This report is published with credit to The Guardian. Full available text from the wire is above. Read on The Guardian →
Source: The Guardian · Presented by Michael Safi; produced by George McDonagh and Alex Atack; music by Rudi Zygadlo; sound design by Brian McNamara; executive producer Joshua Kelly. Published 3 Sept 2026, 01:39 pm.
