Italy has officially recorded its inaugural case of behavioral addiction related to an AI chatbot. The individual affected is a 20-year-old woman residing in Venice, who has substituted real-life interactions with dialogues with an AI system. According to Laura Suardi, the head physician at Venice's addiction treatment service, this case is merely "the tip of the iceberg." She emphasizes that addressing such addictions involves more than just restricting device access; it requires collaboration with psychologists, psychiatrists, and the patient's family. Neuropsychiatry expert Stefano Vicari likens this form of addiction to substance abuse, noting that patients often exhibit similar compulsive behaviors. They may experience restlessness and frustration if their access is curtailed, along with a need for increased online engagement to derive satisfaction. "The same neural pathways are activated in these scenarios as with addictions to drugs like cocaine or cannabis," he clarifies. Is AI addiction a growing concern? Many believe it is, predicting that the issue will escalate further.
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