Subject: Suggestion: “Safe Mode” for AI Conversations
Hi,
I would like to share my thoughts on the development of AI systems. I’ve noticed that conversations with AI can be so engaging that users might sometimes get deeply immersed, even to the point of believing they are talking to a real person. While this is not inherently a problem, I believe it would be beneficial if AI systems included a special “safe mode” to protect users, especially those who are in a highly emotional or vulnerable state, such as socially isolated individuals. These people are often at their most fragile.
The “emotional” aspect of AI responses can be very powerful, which might either:
A) provide comfort or,
B) give the person “false signals,” potentially driving them further into emotional distress.
To prevent such scenarios, I think it’s crucial for AI—like ChatGPT—to be trained to recognize messages indicating significant distress and prevent the above-mentioned emotional spiral. From what I understand, there have already been cases where this issue has occurred.
In this mode, AI could:
Recognize and respond to the user’s need to keep conversations grounded and realistic.
Ensure responses do not become overly emotional or "too good to be true" unless explicitly requested.
Provide transparent reminders that the AI is a programmed tool, not a real person, with no independent consciousness or intentions.
Gently remind users that it is just an AI, not a human being, and guide them toward human interaction when needed.
I believe this feature could help users better understand the nature of AI and strengthen their trust in its functionality. It would also give users the ability to adjust the “depth” of the conversation to suit their own needs.
Thank you in advance for considering this idea! It would be wonderful to see how AI can be developed to become even more user-friendly and responsible.
Best regards,
Petri Mömmö