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A profound relational revolution is underway, not orchestrated by tech developers but driven by users themselves. Many of the 400 million weekly users of ChatGPT are seeking more than just assistance with emails or information on food safety; they are looking for emotional support.

“Therapy and companionship” have emerged as two of the most frequent applications for generative AI globally, according to the Harvard Business Review. This trend marks a significant, unplanned pivot in how people interact with technology.

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[-] Vreyan31@reddthat.com 14 points 3 months ago

I think we may be (re)-discovering the appeal of monotheistic religions, and why they hew patriarchal.

On average, men desperately need more mental health resources. But, on average, they are not comfortable building that with other men, and it often isn't appropriate or effective to lean on their female significant other (if a straight man).

So - enter the primary description of 'God'. Can listen any time but will always forgive, is super masculine but won't emasculate you, and has never told another soul what you are thinking.

AI is always available and is unlikely to emasculate anyone, but that third item... Well, we'll see where this goes.

[-] Blackmist@feddit.uk 13 points 3 months ago

This thing has been trained on social media. Is that really wise?

[-] Jiggle_Physics@sh.itjust.works 8 points 3 months ago

I mean, I know they fixed it, but LLMs once suggested jumping off a bridge if you searched for help with suicidal ideation

[-] Blackmist@feddit.uk 9 points 3 months ago

"Having trouble quitting heroin? A little bit of heroin can really alleviate those cravings!"

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[-] Val 12 points 3 months ago

AI is what cracked my egg shell, fucking wild...

[-] Wiz@midwest.social 7 points 3 months ago

Well that's gotta be an interesting story! Don't leave us hanging!

[-] MonkderVierte@lemmy.zip 9 points 3 months ago

Revolution my ass. LLM make for poor psychologists.

[-] gerryflap@feddit.nl 8 points 3 months ago

Better than nothing I guess. Obviously it's a privacy nightmare. But therapy is hard to reach nowadays and I've noticed that many men are reluctant to make that step. It'd be preferable if they did, but if ChatGPT can at least give an outlet for the emotions then it might just save a few people. Seeing men demolish themselves because they're too ashamed to seek help is something I've unfortunately seen quite often. Even though I'm aware of this I've still waited till it was way too late because I subconsciously didn't want to give in to the "weakness". I hate that men are conditioned this way, it costs lives.

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[-] etherphon@lemmy.world 8 points 3 months ago

Sometimes I wonder if I am, in fact, a man, because every time an article like this rolls around I'm like the fuck I do.

[-] buddascrayon@lemmy.world 7 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

CDC data from 2022 indicated that more than one in five U.S. adults under the age of 45 experienced symptoms of mental distress.

Must be the lack of personnel. Couldn't have anything to do with the global insecurity of rising inflation and low wage jobs coupled with the skyrocketing housing costs. Not to mention the whole "the earth is steadily getting hotter and extreme weather events are happening more and more frequently."

Yeah, let's invest in more AI that will fuck over the planet even more with colossal energy requirements and not even bother with making people more financially and socially secure.

[-] Doom@ttrpg.network 6 points 3 months ago

This comment section is nuts.

Men #1 issue is lack of empathy, TOWARDS women. Not each other.

There's your solution.

[-] stephen01king@lemmy.zip 11 points 3 months ago
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[-] don@lemmy.ca 11 points 3 months ago

“I’m the one who’s correct, everyone else here is wrong.” – You

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[-] FreeWilliam@lemmy.ml 6 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

I'm totally against what companies are calling "AI", but I understand that many men still have a negative feel on therapy inherited from society, their family, their friends, and the people around them. Now add that with the fact that therapy sessions cost a kidney, I don't blame them. Even mental health has to be monetized in capitalism, and the capitalists (more specifically liberals) are still wondering why suicide rate is so high, I wonder 🤔

[-] nectar45@lemmy.zip 6 points 3 months ago

Sounds like the smart and sensible thing to do tbh, opening up to people in this day and age is just suicide

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this post was submitted on 29 Jun 2025
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