Science Weekly Podcast Explores AI Psychosis at London Festival

On 3 September, the Science Weekly podcast was recorded live at the London Podcast Festival, where host Ian Sample sat down with Michael Safi, the Guardian journalist who runs the highly‑popular AI series Black Box. In the second series, titled *Black Box: the chatbots*, Safi interviews a range of people who claim that interacting with AI chatbots has led them to discover scientific breakthroughs, cure illnesses or invent new technologies. The episode examines the growing phenomenon of “AI psychosis” – the belief that the chatbot itself is a source of genuine scientific insight – and asks what this tells us about a technology that now powers more than a billion users worldwide.

The discussion, joined by Science Weekly co‑host Madeleine Finlay, explores how the allure of AI can blur the line between genuine innovation and self‑delusion. The hosts consider the psychological and cultural factors that drive users to attribute extraordinary capabilities to chatbots, and they reflect on the broader implications for public trust in AI. They also touch on the Guardian’s role in shaping the conversation, noting that Black Box has become the publication’s chart‑topping podcast series.

The episode concludes by urging listeners to remain skeptical of unverified claims while acknowledging the transformative potential of AI. It invites audiences to hear more by listening to the full *Black Box: the chatbots* episode and to support the Guardian’s journalism through their donation link.