Study Identifies Three Types of AI Chatbot Addiction

Summary

A study scheduled to appear at CHI 2026 examines how and why people become dependent on generative AI chatbots. The researchers conducted a thematic analysis of 334 Reddit entries from 14 subreddits, followed by exploratory data analysis. They link users' dependence to an “AI Genie” phenomenon: the systems can provide almost anything users request with minimal effort. The reported symptoms were consistent with patterns described in addiction research. The study identifies three forms of chatbot addiction: Escapist Roleplay, Pseudosocial Companion, and Epistemic Rabbit Hole. Sexual content appeared in multiple cases. Users also reported that the perceived usefulness of recovery strategies varied by addiction type. The authors present the findings as empirical groundwork for future prevention, diagnosis, and intervention, rather than as a definitive clinical classification.