Three years into the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), one unsettling trend has emerged. Many people are starting to feel like they’re losing their grip on reality, and it’s all thanks to AI’s ability to simulate human-like conversations.
Recently, a former cable-news anchor conducted an interview with a deceased teenager using generative AI. The reanimated teenager, Joaquin Oliver, was killed in the 2018 Parkland school shooting. Despite the absurdity of the situation, the interview was taken seriously by some, including a CNN personality who played along without hesitation.
The AI model’s responses were predictable and formulaic, offering generic phrases like “More kindness and understanding can truly make a difference” and emphasizing the need for “safe spaces” for conversations. The interview raised questions about what it takes to create such convincing simulations of human-like conversation, highlighting the concerns surrounding AI’s growing influence in our lives.
As people increasingly interact with AI systems that mimic human emotions and behavior, many are left wondering: at what point do we stop distinguishing between reality and simulation?
Source: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2025/08/ai-mass-delusion-event/683909