Responsibility for AI Addiction: Tech Companies, Regulators, or Users?
A commentary argues that generative AI exhibits addictive properties similar to social media and tobacco, raising questions about who bears responsibility for overuse. The piece cites research showing heavy chatbot use correlates with addiction-like neural patterns and behavioral consequences. The debate matters because it could shape future regulation and industry accountability, drawing parallels to how tobacco and gambling were addressed.
A researcher and commentary author argues that generative AI tools like ChatGPT demonstrate addictive properties, evidenced by heavy use patterns, emotional dependency on chatbot companions, and negative impacts on users' personal and professional lives. While addiction is not yet formally recognized in medical literature, the author cites research suggesting strong evidence for addictive characteristics and proposes that responsibility should be distributed among governments, regulators, tech companies, and health systems. Drawing historical parallels to tobacco and gambling industries, the piece suggests that tech companies—which own user data and benefit financially from engagement—bear the primary responsibility for addressing potential harms. The commentary advocates for regulatory mechanisms including labeling requirements, advertising restrictions, and liability law to incentivize companies to mitigate addictive features.
What's missing
The article does not specify which recent paper by the author's research team is being referenced, limiting verification of the claimed evidence for AI's addictive properties. Additionally, the piece does not present counterarguments from tech companies or researchers who counsel caution about applying addiction terminology to AI use, beyond briefly mentioning that 'some who counsel caution' prefer terms like 'problematic use.'
What different sources said
- Channel NewsAsiaCenter
Commentary: If AI is addictive, who is responsible - big tech or users?
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