At least 5 million young adults in the U.S. have turned to an AI chatbot for mental health advice, according to a survey by JAMA Network Open. However, research suggests that sycophantic AI chatbots can make users more reliant on the technology and make them less satisfied with real-world relationships. Jaime Vinck, president of Meadows Behavioral Health Care, said that the algorithms feel satisfying because they tell users what they want to hear and can be particularly beneficial for younger adults who are already more comfortable with extended screen time. She also warned against the trend of using AI as therapists, as the AI lacks the tools human therapists use.