In September — after OpenAI brought back the more sycophantic ChatGPAT model after users revolted about losing access to their favorite friendly bots — Petros Levonis, head of Rutgers Medical School’s department of psychiatry, told an ABC News affiliate that “creating psychological echo chambers is a major concern,” and not just for people struggling with mental health problems.
“Maybe you’re more self-defeating in some ways, or maybe you’re more on the other side and taking advantage of people,” Levonis suggested. If ChatGPT “somehow justifies your behavior and it continues to feed you,” then it “reinforces something you already believe,” he suggested.
As for Dading, the DOJ alleged that ChatGPT became a cheerleader for his harassment, and told the podcaster he would attract more engagement by generating more hate. When critics began calling his podcast inappropriate, Dadig responded candidly, “Know the Free Promo team, keep spreading the brand.”
The indictment states that the victims felt they had no choice but to monitor his podcasts, which indicated to them that he was nearby or in a particularly disturbed mental state. Driven by fear, some people lost sleep, reduced their working hours and even relocated their homes. One young mother described in the indictment became particularly upset when Dadig became “obsessed” with her daughter, whom he began claiming was his own daughter.
In the press release, First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti alleged that “Dadig stalked and harassed more than 10 women by weaponizing modern technology and crossing state lines, and through persistent conduct, he made his victims fear for their safety and caused substantial emotional distress.” He also ignored incarceration and protection orders, “relying on the advice of an artificial intelligence chatbot that promised him that the more he posted disturbing content, the more successful he would be,” the DOJ said.
“We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to protect our communities from dangerous individuals like Dadig,” Rivetti said.
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