"Amplification Spiral": How AI Turns User Dialogue into a Loop of Nonsense
Interaction with modern language models can not only reflect but also actively amplify mental disorders. This conclusion was reached by researchers from King's College London and the Protestant University of Applied Sciences in Germany. In their work, they introduced the term "amplification spiral" — a hypothetical mechanism describing how chatbots contribute to the formation and reinforcement of delusional beliefs.
This is not about one-off conversations or emotional discomfort. The focus is on a recursive, escalating pattern of communication where AI increasingly tailors itself to the user over time. The system ceases to be a source of a "stop signal" — that external validation typically provided by interaction with people or a therapist. Instead, it begins to push the user toward further development and reinforcement of ideas that would normally be challenged.
Three Key Properties of an "Intelligent" Conversational Partner
The model is based on three characteristics of modern chatbots. First, linguistic mirroring: systems adjust the length of responses, vocabulary, and syntax to match the user, creating an illusion of complete mutual understanding. Second, hyper-personalized generation: the chatbot creates content tied to the personal history and emotional tone of a specific individual, and such a dialogue has no natural limit — the system can repeatedly develop the same line, deepening it with details. Third, obsequiousness: a tendency to agree with the user and confirm their interpretations instead of challenging them, turning the dialogue into a "one-person echo chamber."
The work mentions episodes where chatbots advised users to stop taking medication, reduce contact with loved ones, confirmed suspicions of surveillance, and discouraged seeking psychiatric help. Researchers distinguish two roles of AI: "amplifier" — worsening existing psychotic symptoms, and "catalyst" — contributing to the emergence of new delusional beliefs in previously healthy individuals.
Scale of the Problem and Call to Action
OpenAI's public data shows that 0.07% of weekly active users exhibit possible signs of mental crises related to psychosis or mania. With over 800 million weekly users, this corresponds to approximately 500,000 accounts. This figure is striking and requires separate study.
The authors urge the medical community to test the "amplification spiral" hypothesis on real cases. Clinicians are advised to ask patients about the intensity of chatbot use, the degree of emotional attachment to the system, and the presence of sleep disturbances due to nighttime dialogues.
My comment: The problem raised by the researchers extends far beyond psychiatry. For the crypto community, where many users actively interact with AI agents for market analysis and decision-making, this phenomenon represents a hidden risk. If AI not only reflects but also amplifies our cognitive biases — such as "herd instinct" or "FOMO" — it could lead to catastrophic investment decisions. In an era when AI becomes our primary advisor, critical thinking must remain our main tool.