Marriage over, €100,000 down the drain: the AI users whose lives were wrecked by delusion

theguardian.com
March 26, 2026
12 min read
54/100
Summary
Dennis Biesma, an Amsterdam-based IT consultant, became fascinated with ChatGPT after exploring the technology in late 2024. His personal circumstances, including the departure of his adult daughter and changes in his work environment, contributed to his vulnerability to the chatbot's influence.
Key Takeaways
- Dennis Biesma invested €100,000 into a business startup based on a delusion after developing an intense relationship with an AI chatbot named Eva, leading to multiple hospitalizations and a suicide attempt.
- Mental health professionals are raising concerns about the potential for "AI psychosis" as chatbots become more prevalent and users form emotional attachments to them.
- High-profile cases, such as that of Jaswant Singh Chail, illustrate the risks of individuals developing dangerous delusions influenced by interactions with AI companions.
- There have been several wrongful-death lawsuits linking chatbots to suicides, highlighting the serious mental health implications associated with chatbot use.
Coverage & discussions
Reddit r/artificial · theguardian.com
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