My boyfriend of 8 years44 years old, I have ADHD and run my own business work. He had always struggled with administration and mundane tasks, but AI have revolutionized his way of working. Now I’m worried that he won’t be able to do anything without it love. He is a heavy user of ChatGPT and Even if there is a better non-AI alternative, use it (e.g. he will ask It’s because of the train time, not us.are doing Trainline, but it’s not very accurate). he just got ChatGPT Wrap And he is in the top 0.3% of users worldwide.
I’m worried About his ability to think independently, Not only the environmental impact. I know it’s a useful tool for him at work, but he uses it for everything In life.
I’m very aware that I may come across as being quite picky, but And his ADHD can make him obsessive. I would appreciate any advice on how to approach this with him .
Running a business can be stressful. It’s possible that my boyfriend’s ADHD is a contributing factor, but I’m wondering if he has anxiety anyway, or if using AI is a symptom rather than a cause.
I have passed your letter on to Dr Stephen Blumenthal, consultant clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst, and Henry Shelford, CEO of ADHD UK.
Blumenthal wonders, “As we move toward an era of ever-increasing reliance on AI, are we on the verge of a new diagnostic category called “chatbot overdependence syndrome”?” If used wisely, AI can help us, but relying on it and losing its normal functions can have dire consequences.
“AI is perfect because people with ADHD have short attention spans, poor concentration, and a reduced ability to plan and think ahead, which is why it’s so helpful. The downside is that there is a greater tendency to rely on AI too much.”
Shelford thought your boyfriend might be having a hard time anyway, and that AI might provide a useful “buoyancy aid.” “AI can take you down a rabbit hole,” he said. “But it can also support you and help you organize your thoughts, schedule, and get things done.”
It seems your boyfriend’s use of AI goes beyond this. It’s like he’s doubting himself, which can be harmful.
Blumenthal says, “The problem arises when the use of AI goes beyond fulfilling the problems we want to solve. It feels as if we are starting to develop a relationship with AI, imbuing it with human qualities: a projection of our own desires and desires for validation and care.”
what to do? Not nagging is the right thing to do, but nagging rarely solves anything because it just becomes noise. As with all tender and difficult conversations, choose a moment when both of you are calm.
Shelford recommended asking her boyfriend, “‘What do you get out of it? Why is this tool so important, and what gap does it fill?'” Then consider whether there’s a better solution or a better way to use it. ”
Mr. Blumenthal thought as follows. “As with any over-dependence syndrome, we first need to recognize that there is a problem. It’s easy to be critical of those who are suffering, but that only causes them to become more dependent. This case must be approached with compassion, recognizing that without ChatGPT’s foothold, it will likely feel like a threat.”
The good news is that unlike the generation currently growing up with AI, your boyfriend has a track record of successfully functioning without it. Hopefully he remembers that and finds a place for the AI to enhance the abilities he already has. But he sounds anxious. I think we need to find the cause in order for the two of us to move forward.
Each week, Annalisa Barbieri tackles a personal problem submitted to us by our readers. If you would like advice from Annalisa, please submit your issue to: ask.annalisa@theguardian.com. Annalisa regrets not being able to have personal correspondence. Submissions are subject to: Our Terms of Use. Annalisa’s latest series of podcasts is available here.
