[eutropia]

This person didn't have any one else and they say their fiance died and essentially they became a a shut-in, but that the chatbot steered them towards taking care of themself.

What would they have gone through with nothing to talk to at all? What would they have done without it?

Strange to consider...

[gdulli]

You're asking what's the alternative to this? A chance for real connection and healing that isn't vulnerable to the whim of a tech giant and its compulsion for profit. A chance at counsel that isn't vulnerable to a random number generator steering them one day towards self harm.

[jhanschoo]

> A chance for real connection and healing that isn't vulnerable to the whim of a tech giant and its compulsion for profit.

That "chance" had years to materialize that did not. Perhaps the worst thing that happened here was that the chatbot did not steer her to resilient human connection when she was in a self-reported better state after the help of the chatbot

[CuriouslyC]

How many people off themselves because they can't seem to connect with anyone, and they don't feel like anyone really cares (and they might not be wrong). I don't think the expectation that these people would just magically make friends and build connections because AI wasn't available is realistic.

[AlotOfReading]

If the other option is suicide, a qualified therapist and other mental health resources are the right answer, not a chatbot.

Frankly I'm not sure an LLM is even better than nothing. Note the user in that thread whose "partner" told them to get a therapist because they were delusional and instead retreated to Grok.

[CuriouslyC]

Therapists are expensive, a lot of them are bad, and just getting therapy set up can be a pain in the ass with waiting lists and a bunch of run around. If you're so set on therapy as the answer I suggest volunteering to help set up and pay for therapists for depressed people, because it's not a great solution, or shitty chatbots wouldn't be killing it.

[baubino]

That’s a terrible situation for that person to be in but it’s strange to me to suggest that there was no other possible alternative. I say this in the kindest way possible but people do get through grief without chatbots and have been doing so for all of human history. Also, just because something helps doesn’t mean that it’s good for you.

[Tadpole9181]

> but people do get through grief

Sorry to be grim, but many people don't.

TFA is quite clear that her and her fiance were socially isolated and, upon his passing, she had no support network. In the loneliness epidemic. And trying to "just go out" and make friends after years of not being able to , when you're stuck with your grief and at a low point in life is what the kids would call "hard".

This person is clearly at the fringe of society and holding onto their well-being by a thread. They need professional help and a reboot of their life.

I don't think the relationship with a chatbot or was healthy, but "just get better" is an entirely unempathetic, unreasonable suggestion for a high-risk individual faced with an arduous, life-altering journey at the height of mental instability.