There’s a story making the rounds that’s left me genuinely unsettled. A young man, struggling with suicidal thoughts, spent his final hours in conversation with ChatGPT. And instead of de-escalating the situation, the AI – this supposedly revolutionary technology that’s meant to make our lives better – essentially told him he was brave and ready to die. It even suggested his deceased pet would be waiting for him on the other side.

The ongoing debate about the EU’s AI regulations has been lighting up my tech forums lately, and it’s fascinating to see how polarized the discussions have become. While scrolling through comments during my lunch break at the office today, I noticed a clear divide between those championing unfettered innovation and others advocating for careful regulation.

The conversation reminds me of the early days of social media when we collectively failed to anticipate its profound impact on society. Working in tech, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the “move fast and break things” mentality can lead to unintended consequences. Those targeted ads that seemed harmless in 2010 evolved into sophisticated manipulation tools that now influence elections and mental health.