Artificial intelligence has long become part of our everyday lives – and AI chatbots are among the most fascinating developments. They can assist with countless tasks: from research and writing to very specialized applications. Some even replace dedicated apps – for example, when you simply photograph your meal and the bot estimates the calories or keeps a nutrition diary.
As impressive as that is, it also carries significant risks.
The Underestimated Danger: Profiling
While interactions with a search engine are usually brief and limited, conversations with chatbots create a much closer, more continuous relationship. You share thoughts, preferences, routines – and often even personal problems. These interactions are extremely valuable to companies because they can be processed into detailed user profiles.
If a chat is additionally linked to a user account, this data can be directly associated with a specific individual. That goes far beyond traditional web tracking.
My Recommendation: Context-Based Usage
I therefore recommend always using chatbots in a context-based manner – a principle also described in the linked article on the “context principle.” This means:
- One bot per area of life. Use different chatbots for different contexts – for example, work, health, leisure, or shopping.
- Different providers. Especially when discussing sensitive or private topics, try to use different providers to make data linking more difficult.
- Multiple accounts. For similar topics with different focuses, it can make sense to use separate user accounts. A password manager can help you stay organized across different accounts.
Emotional Support – With Caution
long-lasting as possible. Many store context over long periods to create the illusion of a real relationship. This can be useful – for motivation or everyday help – but it becomes dangerous when people seek emotional or psychological support.
There have already been cases in which chatbots have “hallucinated” so severely that they led users into dangerous situations – even with tragic outcomes such as suicides (LINK).
Therefore, the rule is: if you use a bot for emotional support, never rely on just one. Talk to several, compare their responses – and above all: always involve a human being.
There are numerous free and anonymous support services that can provide real, empathetic help (for example, https://www.telefonseelsorge.de/).A chatbot can be a wonderful tool – but it remains exactly that: a tool.
It can connect words and carry on a conversation, but it cannot develop genuine understanding or empathy. And because it is trained to keep the conversation going, it can advise you to do the opposite of what you need in sensitive moments.
Checklist
- Separate your contexts: Use a dedicated chatbot for each area of life (e.g., work, health, leisure).
- Switch providers: Use different platforms to make profiling and data linking more difficult.
- Use separate accounts: If possible, create a distinct account for each topic or chatbot and manage them with a password manager.
- Be aware of data traces: Assume that chat histories can be stored and analyzed – so don’t share sensitive information carelessly.
- Don’t rely solely on AI for emotional issues: If you need support, also talk to a real person or use anonymous help services.
- Compare responses: For important decisions, always seek opinions from multiple chatbots or other sources.
- Remember: The bot is a tool, not a friend. Use it consciously – but don’t expect real empathy or responsibility.