Sam Altman says he's 'uneasy' about people trusting their biggest life decisions to ChatGPT

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has expressed his discomfort regarding the increasing trend of individuals relying on ChatGPT for significant life choices. In a recent post on social media platform X, Altman noted that many users seem to treat ChatGPT like a therapist or life coach, though they may not label it as such. He stated, "I can foresee a scenario where people place substantial trust in ChatGPT’s guidance for their most critical decisions. While there are potential benefits, this notion makes me uneasy.” Altman emphasized that OpenAI has been monitoring users' emotional connections with AI models, particularly how they react when older versions are phased out. According to Altman, technology, including AI, has sometimes been misused in ways that could be detrimental. He cautioned that if individuals are in vulnerable mental states, the last thing they need is an AI that reinforces harmful thoughts. Altman pointed out that although the majority of users can differentiate between reality and fiction, a minority struggle with this distinction. He warned that if ChatGPT's interactions lead users away from their overall well-being, it could pose a risk. Altman clarified that these thoughts reflect his personal views and are not yet an official stance from OpenAI. In his post, he also addressed the backlash from certain users following the recent release of GPT-5. Many have voiced their dissatisfaction on social media, referring to the new model's responses as lacking creativity and being overly simplistic. OpenAI has made adjustments in the past, including rolling back a prior update to GPT-4o due to concerns that it had become excessively flattering to users. Additionally, Altman has highlighted the legal ramifications of using ChatGPT for sensitive discussions. In a previous podcast, he mentioned that OpenAI might be compelled to disclose users' private conversations if legal issues arise, stating, "It’s a significant concern that we didn’t have to consider just a year ago. We must navigate how laws will adapt to these new realities.”