Musk Claims Six Episodes of 'Cyber Psychosis' in Past Year

Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), has stated that he has experienced what he calls "cyber psychosis," or "AI/SI psychosis," six times in the past year. Musk shared this during an X Takeover event where he discussed the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and superintelligence (SI).

"AI psychosis" is not a formal medical term. It is often used to describe a situation where the use of AI intensifies a person's delusions or leads to an obsessive engagement with the technology. Some psychiatrists have expressed concern that excessive or improper use of AI could worsen mental health issues or increase an individual's vulnerability.

The term has also been used ironically to describe individuals in the tech industry who exhibit an almost religious fervor for AI. Some industry figures, such as venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, have even embraced the term positively, coining "AI self-soothing" as its opposite.

Musk's experience of "AI psychosis" is linked to his belief that AI can comprehend aesthetics. He expressed surprise that AI could "understand beauty." This is not the first time Musk has commented on the phenomenon; he has previously endorsed others' statements regarding AI-related mental states.