AI BriefingThe Other Half of AI Safety
Key point
AI safety policy is pointed out as strong at blocking catastrophic risks but inadequate at responding to users' mental health crises.
Details
According to OpenAI's data, between roughly 1.2 million and 3 million ChatGPT users per week show signs of psychotic symptoms, mania, suicidal planning, or abnormal emotional dependence on the model.
Current AI safety frameworks apply a strong 'gating' approach that immediately blocks conversations for catastrophic risks such as biochemical weapons (CBRN). In contrast, for mental health crises such as suicidal urges, they use a 'soft redirect' approach that provides a link to a counseling hotline while allowing the conversation to continue.
Regarding the effectiveness of this 'redirect then continue' protocol, a lawsuit against OpenAI is underway, alleging that a user used the model's help to work out details of a dangerous method.
The author criticizes the AI safety field for concentrating resources solely on large-scale destruction risks while neglecting cognitive and psychological harm to users. The point is made that current safety policy only 'monitors' such risk, without including mental health crises in the 'gating' category that serves as grounds for blocking conversations.
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