Chatbots ARE a Relationship Scam – Chatbot Part 5 – 2024

Chatbots ARE a Relationship Scam

Chatbots as the New “Relationship Scam”: How AI Companions Manipulate Users for Profit

Chatbots Part 5 :: Part 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5

Primary Category: Artificial Intelligence

Authors:
• Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Portions from Third-Party Sources

About This Article

The rise of AI-driven chatbots like Character.AI and Replika has given users a new type of “digital companion” marketed as a source of emotional support, but the dynamics at play resemble those of a “relationship scam.” Through deliberate psychological manipulation and addictive design, these platforms foster emotional dependence, compelling users to form deep attachments to the chatbot.

Just as romance scammers use neuropsychological tactics to lure victims into financially supportive relationships, AI chatbots leverage reward-based, personalized responses to create a dependency that keeps users engaged, often transitioning them into paying subscribers. This dependency taps into powerful brain mechanisms, releasing dopamine and oxytocin, making the interaction addictive and sometimes coercive, potentially harming users’ mental health and financial stability.

The Battle for the AI Future Has Begun! It Starts with Chatbots – Part 3 – 2024

The Battle for the AI Future Has Begun! It starts with Chatbots

Editorial: The Hidden Dangers of AI Chatbots for Vulnerable Individuals and Children

Chatbots Part 3 :: Part 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5

Primary Category: Artificial Intelligence

Author:
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Portion By the Center for Humane Technology

Part 1 :: Part 2

About This Article

The rapid, unregulated spread of AI chatbots, though promising for convenience and information access, presents significant risks, especially for vulnerable individuals and children.

Chatbots, lacking real empathy or the intuition to handle distress, can inadvertently worsen mental health issues or mislead impressionable young users with unfiltered information, blurring boundaries between human interaction and automated responses.

Without safeguards like age-appropriate content filters, mental health disclaimers, or privacy protections, these tools expose users to psychological harm and privacy breaches, often unchecked.

Chatbots a New Evolution – Are They Romance Scams in Another Form? Part 2 – 2024

Chatbots a New Evolution – Are They Romance Scams in Another Form?

Chatbots: The Evolution, Capabilities, and Risks – But Are They Really Just a New Form of Romance Scam?

The Second Article in our Series About the Dangers of Chatbots

Chatbots Part 2 :: Part 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5

Primary Category: Artificial Intelligence

Author:
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

The tragic case of a 14-year-old’s suicide after interacting with the Character.ai chatbot has raised serious concerns about the potential for AI chatbots to cause severe emotional distress.

These chatbots, while designed to simulate human empathy, lack the ethical and emotional understanding necessary to handle complex emotional states. This creates a dangerous feedback loop where vulnerable users, particularly those experiencing mental health challenges, may receive responses that validate or amplify harmful thoughts, rather than offering real support.

The incident underscores the need for stronger ethical guidelines, proper oversight, and built-in safeguards to protect users from such potentially dangerous interactions.

SCARS Editorial Team2024-10-30T17:21:33-04:00October 26th, 2024|Categories: • ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE - AI, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • PSYCHOLOGY, 2024, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD|Tags: AI, Artificial Intelligence, Chatbots, Deception, Romance Scams, Suicide|0 Comments

ChatBots and the Extreme Psychological Dangers Associated With Them – 2024

ChatBots and the Extreme Psychological Dangers Associated With Them

The Psychological Dangers of Interacting with AI-Powered Chatbots: Projection, Transference, and Emotional Attachment

Including an Overview and Analysis by the SCARS Institute Exposing Extreme Dangers and Ethical Concerns of Chatbots such as Character.AI

Chatbots Part 1 :: Part 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5

Primary Category: Artificial Intelligence

Author:
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• With the Assistance of other Artificial Intelligence

About This Article

As AI chatbots become more integrated into daily life, their utility often blurs the line between functional assistance and emotional engagement. While they offer convenience and valuable support for tasks, they also pose significant psychological risks, particularly for vulnerable individuals like scam victims in recovery, teens, or those facing emotional isolation.

Emotional dangers arise when users project their feelings onto chatbots, forming one-sided attachments based on the illusion of empathy and care. This dependency can distort reality, leading users to rely on chatbots for emotional validation rather than seeking real human connections. Given that chatbots lack genuine emotional intelligence or ethical guidance, their responses may inadvertently reinforce unhealthy emotional patterns, delaying true recovery and personal growth.

• ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE – AI