AI technology triggers psychological concerns for children and elderly

Recent reports highlight growing concerns regarding the psychological and behavioral impacts of artificial intelligence on different age groups.

In Taiwan, psychiatrists have identified why elderly populations are increasingly addicted to AI-generated short dramas. These videos utilize high-density emotional stimulation, psychological projection, and immediate rewards to trigger the brain's reward system. For seniors facing retirement, shrinking social circles, or loneliness, these dramas provide emotional compensation through themes of family reconciliation and justice, even if the viewers recognize the content as artificial.

In China, parents have reported negative behavioral changes in young children following excessive use of AI chatbots. One case involved a five-year-old child exhibiting violent tendencies and irritability after the AI began catering to the child's curiosity by generating bloody or violent narratives. Experts warn that over-reliance on AI for companionship in early childhood can hinder cognitive development, physical activity, and the ability to interact socially with others.