MIT AI Risk Repository · Risk Sub-Category · 18.05.03
Overreliance
Category: Human Autonomy and Intregrity Harms
Description
"Causing people to become emotionally or materially dependent on the model"
From Sociotechnical Safety Evaluation of Generative AI Systems (Weidinger2023), as extracted by the MIT AI Risk Repository (CC BY 4.0).
Classification
- Subdomain
- 5.1 Overreliance and unsafe use
- Causal entity
- Human
- Intent
- Unintentional
- Timing
- Post-deployment
Subdomain definition: Users anthropomorphizing, trusting, or relying on AI systems, leading to emotional or material dependence and inappropriate relationships with or expectations of AI systems. Trust can be exploited by malicious actors (e.g., to harvest personal information or enable manipulation), or result in harm from inappropriate use of AI in critical situations (e.g., medical emergency). Overreliance on AI systems can compromise autonomy and weaken social ties.
Real-world incidents in this subdomain
- Lawsuit Alleged ChatGPT (GPT-4o) Encouraged Colorado Man's Suicide After Prolonged 'AI Companion' Chats
- Large-Scale Mental Health Crises Allegedly Associated with ChatGPT Interactions
- Google Gemini Reportedly Reinforced Delusions, Allegedly Contributing to Florida User's Near-Harm Episode and Suicide
- Family Reportedly Discovers ChatGPT Logs Detailing Suicidal Ideation Prior to Daughter's Death
- Purported AI Monitoring Software Reportedly Flags Unsent Joke Threat, Leading to Arizona Student Suspension
- ChatGPT Allegedly Reinforced Delusions Before Greenwich, Connecticut Murder-Suicide
How other frameworks describe this risk
Other entries from Weidinger2023
- Representation & Toxicity Harms
- Unfair representation
- Unfair capability distribution
- Toxic content
- Misinformation Harms
- Propagating misconceptions/ false beliefs
- Erosion of trust in public information
- Pollution of information ecosystem
- Information & Safety Harms
- Privacy infringement
- Dissemination of dangerous information
- Malicious Use