Alteration of social relationships may induce psychological distress

Classification

Domain

5. Human-Computer Interaction

Subdomain

5.1 Overreliance and unsafe use

Causal entity

Other

Intent

Other

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

• 2 Nov 2025Lawsuit Alleged ChatGPT (GPT-4o) Encouraged Colorado Man's Suicide After Prolonged 'AI Companion' Chats
• 27 Oct 2025Large-Scale Mental Health Crises Allegedly Associated with ChatGPT Interactions
• 29 Sep 2025Google Gemini Reportedly Reinforced Delusions, Allegedly Contributing to Florida User's Near-Harm Episode and Suicide
• 18 Aug 2025Family Reportedly Discovers ChatGPT Logs Detailing Suicidal Ideation Prior to Daughter's Death
• 14 Aug 2025Purported AI Monitoring Software Reportedly Flags Unsent Joke Threat, Leading to Arizona Student Suspension
• 5 Aug 2025ChatGPT Allegedly Reinforced Delusions Before Greenwich, Connecticut Murder-Suicide

How other frameworks describe this risk

• Addiction

  A Collaborative, Human-Centred Taxonomy of AI, Algorithmic, and Automation Harms (Abercrombie2024)

• Economic instability

  A Collaborative, Human-Centred Taxonomy of AI, Algorithmic, and Automation Harms (Abercrombie2024)

• Overreliance

  A Collaborative, Human-Centred Taxonomy of AI, Algorithmic, and Automation Harms (Abercrombie2024)

• Alienation/isolation

  A Collaborative, Human-Centred Taxonomy of AI, Algorithmic, and Automation Harms (Abercrombie2024)

• Overreliance

  Foundational Challenges in Assuring Alignment and Safety of Large Language Models (Anwar2024)

• Inconsistent Performance across and within Domains

  Foundational Challenges in Assuring Alignment and Safety of Large Language Models (Anwar2024)

• Risks from product functionality issues

  International Scientific Report on the Safety of Advanced AI (Bengio2024)

• Privacy concerns

  The Ethics of Advanced AI Assistants (Gabriel2024)

Other entries from Allianz2018

• Economic Risk Category · 6.2
• Increased income disparity Risk Sub-Category · 6.2
• Markets monopolization Risk Sub-Category
• Political Risk Category · 4.1
• Biased influence through citizen screening and tailored propaganda Risk Sub-Category · 4.1
• Potential exploitation by totalitarian regimes Risk Sub-Category · 6.1
• Mobility Risk Category · 6.5
• Cyber security Risk Sub-Category
• Liability issues in case of accidents Risk Sub-Category · 6.5
• Healthcare Risk Category · 5.1
• Social manipulation in elderly- and child-care Risk Sub-Category · 5.1
• Security & Defense Risk Category · 4.2