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Chat GPT Anxiety
Do you suffer from Chat GPT Anxiety or AI Anxiety, or anxiety for not even knowing what that first sentence means? Technology has become so incredibly advanced that computers can now mimic or even exceed human abilities. This is fact and of course this is terrifying.
And whether we like it or not, the reality is that human existence has changed forever, because of artificial intelligence, or AI. This is now leading to new versions of anxiety (as if we didn’t have enough versions already), which I have no doubt will begin to be referred to as “Chat GPT Anxiety” or “AI Anxiety.
It’s perfectly normal (and quite human) to feel apprehensive about the power of advanced technologies, but there are thankfully ways to overcome this anxiety. In this blog post we’ll discuss the fears people have about these new technologies and how you can use anxiety therapy tools to manage Chat GPT Anxiety and AI Anxiety.
What is AI? What is Chat GPT?
AI means artificial intelligence. The scary word here is artificial, as in, not natural, computer generated intelligence. Even more scary sounding is the term Chat GPT which actually stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer! Yikes! Just reading that phrase makes my anxiety levels surge. How about you?
It’s no surprise, then, that some people experience anxiety, fears and worry related to this technology. Chat GPT anxiety and AI Anxiety are real concerns for many individuals, and it’s something that can impact anyone who interacts with AI technology or is actively avoiding doing so. However, the good news is that therapy can help people overcome their Chat GPT anxiety and regain control of their thoughts and emotions and lives.
What Exactly is Chat GPT Anxiety? AI Anxiety?
Chat GPT anxiety is a term used to describe the fear and anxiety that many people experience related to the abilities that Chat GPT and AI tools such as Bing and Bard have. Chat GPT (and other tools) are programs that can generate sophisticated human-like (and human sounding) text, almost instantly.
It has been used for everything from customer service to creative writing. Honestly! This can be very exciting and as a gadget lover and early adopter myself, it is exciting.
Similarly, AI Anxiety is a term used to describe the worry and fear that people experience related to the impact of artificial intelligence on society
However, the power of this AI and Chat GPT technology can also be intimidating and trigger fears of job loss, privacy concerns, and existential concerns that humanity has forever changed. And, to be fair, it has whether we fully realize this or not.
Worries About Chat GPT And Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Many people worry that Chat GPT will replace human customer service representatives or writers, while others may be concerned about the potential for Chat GPT to become uncontrollable or even malevolent (Yes, those Sci-fi films had some truth to them after all). Even the creators / programmers of Chat GPT and AI are sounding the alarm that regulations need to be put in place to manage / control what these systems can and can’t do.
Additionally, some people may simply feel uneasy about the idea of interacting with a machine that seems so human-like. Chat GPT Anxiety or AI Anxiety is a very real phenomenon that will increasingly affect many people moving forward. Such realistic human sounding dialogue with a machine inevitably blurs the lines of ‘reality’ and will make us question, ‘what is actually real?’
How Can Anxiety Therapy Help with Chat GPT Anxiety?
Therapy can be an effective way to manage Chat GPT anxiety and AI Anxiety. A therapist who specializes in anxiety can help you identify the underlying beliefs and thoughts that are contributing to your anxiety and teach you coping strategies to manage those thoughts and emotions. Through therapy, you can learn to regulate your emotions, reframe your thoughts, take charge of your actions and ultimately reduce your anxiety related to Chat GPT and AI.
Anxiety Therapy can help you build resilience, so you’re better equipped to cope with difficult situations that may trigger your anxiety. Therapy can offer you a safe and supportive (and fully human) environment to help you explore your feelings and thoughts about Chat GPT.
Therapy can help you learn how to set self boundaries regarding technology so that the technology works for your well-being and not you working for the technology! You are the human and you are in control. And therapy can help you to remember this and take actions that are in alignment with your values.
One effective type of therapy for managing Chat GPT anxiety is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a type of therapy that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and beliefs. A CBT therapist can teach you CBT techniques to help you reframe your thoughts about Chat GPT, AI and Life. Therapy can help you experience your anxiety differently and effectively help you to reduce the impact of anxiety on your life as well.
6 Therapy Tools To Manage Chat GPT Anxiety and AI Anxiety
If you’re suffering from chat GPT anxiety or any form of AI anxiety, it can be overwhelming and difficult to manage. But there are effective tools at your disposal that can make a real difference. Although Chat GPT anxiety is new, anxiety itself is not. This is good news because the same tools and therapy that work for anxiety will work for AI anxiety too. These anti anxiety therapy tools include:
Mindfulness:
Mindfulness is a technique that involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment. Practicing mindfulness can help you become more aware of your thoughts and emotions and learn to observe them without becoming overwhelmed. In a way, mindfulness teaches you how to stay with your lived experience with feelings of support. Over time, this grows your confidence in your ability to handle emotions and life.
Cognitive Restructuring:
Cognitive restructuring is a technique from Cognitive Behavior Therapy which involves identifying negative thoughts and beliefs related to Chat GPT, and then to replace them with more positive, supportive or realistic ones. For example, instead of thinking “Chat GPT is going to take my job”, you could reframe that thought to “I have unique skills and abilities that Chat GPT cannot replicate” AND “Chat GPT if used effectively might actually help me to improve in my job and save time”.
Journaling:
journaling can be an effective way for you to express your thoughts and feelings related to emerging technologies, such as Chat GPT and AI. Writing things down allows us to get a better understanding of what we are thinking and how we are feeling physically and emotionally. Many people find that in our over saturated technological lives, doing this ‘old school’ by hand feels particularly cathartic and supportive. Other’s find being able to keep an audio journal that transcribes text to be an easy way to actually spend the few minutes it takes to gain the benefits of journaling. Journaling can be a very effective and helpful tool for managing Chat GPT anxiety and AI Anxiety.
Exposure Therapy:
Exposure therapy is a technique from CBT which involves gradually exposing yourself to the things that trigger your anxiety, in a safe and controlled environment. A therapist can guide you through exposure therapy exercises to help you build confidence and reduce your anxiety related to Chat GPT and AI. This means actually learning to live with and embrace Chat GPT and AI, and shifting from fear based beliefs to the idea that Chat GPT and AI can be partners in helping us humans navigate life more effectively.
Relaxation Techniques:
Relaxation techniques like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and guided imagery can help you manage your anxiety symptoms in the moment as well as help to reduce baseline anxiety too. In many ways, the more anxious we feel about technology, the more powerful and helpful it is to focus on the human body to help regulate down the anxiety response. Thankfully there are many books and apps that can help you learn and practice relaxation techniques. But don’t overthink it either. Doing anything that is relaxing will help.
Self-Care:
Self-care activities like exercise, spending time in nature, and connecting with loved ones can help you manage stress and anxiety related to Chat GPT. In other words, doing things with humans, with fellow human beings and doing things in nature are extremely powerful antidotes to anxiety in general and especially to Chat GPT anxiety, and all things ‘artificial’. In a way, this keeps everything real and in perspective (and human!)
Conclusion: Mind AND Machine
Will AI have Consciousness? Who knows? Will future versions of Chat GPT exceed human creativity? Will AI be better at everything than us mere humans? Will we learn to love AI and wonder how we ever lived without it? Maybe?
Yes, Chat GPT Anxiety and AI Anxiety are valid and will likely affect many of us in the near future. This unique kind of anxiety is something that can impact anyone who interacts with AI technology.
But here’s the thing that won’t change. Being human is a uniquely human experience. We are physical bodies with real feelings, imperfections and consciousness. Our imperfections make us real and even beautiful. While anxiety isn’t going away, neither is the support that us fellow humans can receive from each other. We need to shift from a Humans Vs. AI Mindset to a Humans With AI As Assistants mindset. This shift in mindset may be the most helpful tip one can learn from anxiety therapy.
Therapy can be a powerful way to help people overcome their Chat GPT Anxiety and regain control of their thoughts, emotions, actions (and even our humanity itself. Through cognitive behavioral therapy techniques like mindfulness, cognitive restructuring, journaling, exposure therapy, relaxation techniques, and self-care, we can learn to manage our Chat GPT anxiety and AI anxiety.
We can learn to feel more at ease working with AI and Chat GPT. If you’re struggling with Chat GPT anxiety, don’t suffer alone! Help is there from your fellow humans. Please feel free to contact me at my Honolulu or London office to set up an Anxiety Treatment Test Drive and talk through what would be most helpful for you.
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Hawaii and an Accredited CBT Therapist and Psychotherapist in the UK with over 17 years of experience. My specialties include Anxiety Therapy, Therapy For Gay Men, Life Coaching for Anxiety, Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Compassion Focused Therapy.
