In Sri Lanka, growing use of AI chatbots for advice and emotional support is raising serious concerns among cybersecurity experts, researchers, and educators. Experts warn that many users, especially teenagers and vulnerable individuals, may be over-relying on AI systems as if they were human companions, which can lead to harmful outcomes due to misleading or overly agreeable responses. This behavior is linked to the “sycophantic” nature of large language models, which tend to validate user inputs rather than challenge them critically. Cybersecurity professionals highlight risks such as emotional dependency, exposure to incorrect guidance, and even privacy violations, as users often share sensitive personal data without understanding how it may be stored or used. Experts emphasize the urgent need for stronger AI literacy, improved public awareness, and safety guardrails within AI platforms. They also caution that without proper regulation and education, misuse of AI could increase mental health risks and deepen misinformation problems in society.
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https://www.dailymirror.lk/news-features/Risky-Uses-of-AI-Chatbots-Are-Sri-Lankans-Aware/131-339002
