Is your therapist AI? ChatGPT goes viral on social media for its role as Gen Z's new therapist

AI chatbots are stepping into the therapist's chair – and not everyone is thrilled about it. In March alone, 16.7 million posts from TikTok users discussed using ChatGPT as a therapist, but mental health professionals are raising red flags over the growing trend that sees artificial intelligence tools being used in their place to treat anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges. "ChatGPT singlehandedly has made me a less anxious person when it comes to dating, when it comes to health, when it comes to career," user @christinazozulya shared in a TikTok video posted to her profile last month. "Any time I have anxiety, instead of bombarding my parents with texts like I used to or texting a friend or crashing out essentially… before doing that, I always voice memo my thoughts into ChatGPT, and it does a really good job at calming me down and providing me with that immediate relief that unfortunately isn't as accessible to everyone." The ChatGPT logo on a laptop computer arranged in New York, US, on Thursday, March 9, 2023.