Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Tarhan emphasized that artificial intelligence should never replace humans as a tool, stating that information provided by AI must be verified by a clinician or expert, otherwise it could lead to misinformation.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that artificial intelligence lacks empathy, mind-reading, and emotional resonance capabilities, warning that "If we are at the wheel, we shouldn't be afraid, but if we lose control of the wheel to artificial intelligence, it could lead us to schizophrenia and cause us to make wrong decisions," adding that it could become a "digital opium."
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan emphasized that the misuse of artificial intelligence could deepen the loneliness felt within crowds, also stating that AI creates an echo chamber effect.
Uskudar University Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, evaluated the topic of artificial intelligence with its threats and opportunities on the program 'Akla Ziyan with Nevzat Tarhan,' broadcast on EKOTÜRK.
Like a knife, if you use it for its purpose, you cut bread
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that artificial intelligence has begun to create a great impact on humanity, similar to the printing press and electricity, rapidly becoming an indispensable part of daily life. He emphasized that AI is a neutral tool that can produce positive or negative results depending on its purpose of use, adding, "Like a knife, if you use it for its purpose, you cut bread; otherwise, you kill someone. Artificial intelligence has the same effect."
Potential dangers and neurological effects of artificial intelligence
Prof. Dr. Tarhan drew attention to the negative aspects of artificial intelligence, alongside its positive developments, particularly highlighting the risks of AI use in the psychological field.
Stating, "If you treat artificial intelligence like a psychologist, ask it questions, and seek comfort from it, this could even lead you to suicide," Prof. Dr. Tarhan gave the example of a person with suicidal tendencies asking AI for information about high bridges, noting that AI cannot read intent and thus could lead to misinformation.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that artificial intelligence lacks abilities such as empathetic perception, emotional literacy, reading social cues, and abstract thinking in humans. He added that mirror neurons in the brain play a critical role in such skills and that Theory of Mind tests used in autism diagnosis reveal this deficiency in AI. Prof. Dr. Tarhan reported that due to this inadequacy, artificial intelligence could lead to mental delusions and outbursts in psychologically vulnerable individuals, and even cases of "AI psychoses" have been published.
Digital addiction and the dopamine trap
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that another dangerous aspect of artificial intelligence is digital addiction, drawing attention to the role of the dopamine hormone in the brain. He explained that dopamine is the "desire hormone" and that its release during digital gaming or AI use creates a continuous "scrolling effect" in individuals. Prof. Dr. Tarhan noted that this situation leads to dopamine's sustainability trap, raising a person's pleasure threshold and creating a need to spend more or show more interest, further stating that this dopamine accumulation is one of the reasons for the increase in gambling addiction.
Artificial intelligence should be used as a tool, not replace humans
Prof. Dr. Tarhan emphasized that artificial intelligence should never replace humans as a tool, stating that information provided by AI must be verified by a clinician or expert, otherwise it could lead to misinformation.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that artificial intelligence lacks empathy, mind-reading, and emotional resonance capabilities, and that AI could cause humans to perceive their imaginative world as a temporary reality, disabling the brain's reality-testing network.
Regarding artificial intelligence, Prof. Dr. Tarhan warned that "If we are at the wheel, we shouldn't be afraid, but if we lose control of the wheel to artificial intelligence, it could lead us to schizophrenia and cause us to make wrong decisions," adding that it could become a "digital opium," and expressed that individuals who can control their emotional side would not fall into AI's traps.
Individuals who surrender to artificial intelligence may fall into errors as if believing in fortune tellers
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan evaluated the profound effects and potential dangers of artificial intelligence on human psychology, stating that AI gives humans a "sense of flying," a false feeling of comfort, and makes individuals feel as if they are in a dream world. Prof. Dr. Tarhan warned that individuals who surrender to artificial intelligence might fall into errors as if believing in their dreams or fortune tellers.
Artificial intelligence reality
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that alongside physical, imaginative, and dream realities in human life, a fourth reality, which he calls "artificial intelligence reality," has emerged. He explained that this virtual reality can now be designed very seriously in minds, and believing in this reality without questioning could lead to major errors, similar to believing in a fortune teller.
Echo chamber fallacy and the loneliness paradox
Drawing attention to the "echo chamber fallacy" of artificial intelligence, Tarhan stated that individuals become isolated in the digital environment as if talking to their own echoes. Prof. Dr. Tarhan emphasized that this situation reveals the "loneliness paradox," where people, despite having numerous superficial friends, lack deep and meaningful relationships.
Attention killer and time trap
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that artificial intelligence is an "attention killer," preventing deep engagement by directing people toward multitasking. Reminding that the brain achieves permanent learning by focusing and deepening, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said that artificial intelligence disrupts this process. Furthermore, Tarhan noted that AI brings with it a "time trap," stating that digital platforms mean enslavement, not freedom, especially for children and young people.
Artificial identity and emotional intelligence deficiency
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that artificial intelligence constructs new identities and that the future of those who lose control to AI is dangerous. He emphasized that emotional intelligence is related to a person's ability to understand their own emotions and those of others, and that this empathic ability is absent in artificial intelligence.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that 80 percent of communication in human relationships occurs through non-verbal communication, while artificial intelligence covers only 20 percent of communication by merely transferring information. He explained that non-verbal elements like tone of voice, facial expressions, and gestures play a critical role in emotional transfer and that artificial intelligence is inadequate in this area.
Artificial intelligence and digital platforms can lead to "learned autism"
Prof. Dr. Tarhan warned that artificial intelligence and digital platforms could lead to "learned autism," stating that individuals overly dependent on AI might become highly specialized in a single area, similar to autistic individuals, due to their inability to establish emotional and social communication, but would remain isolated in social life.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also addressed the fear of artificial intelligence felt by individuals with skeptical and paranoid tendencies, explaining that every piece of information entered into digital platforms is permanent and leaves a "digital footprint" that could resurface for the person in the future.
Feeling alone in a crowd, a global phenomenon independent of artificial intelligence
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that the loneliness felt within crowds is one of today's global problems, emphasizing that the misuse of artificial intelligence could deepen this loneliness. He said, “Feeling alone in a crowd is a global phenomenon independent of artificial intelligence. This is called the weak tie effect. Humans, neurobiologically, will suffer if they don't form relationships; because the need to form relationships and alleviate loneliness is a biological requirement. Today, many people try to meet this need in digital spaces, but this provides a false satisfaction. It seems like there are many friendships, but there are no deep and meaningful bonds. In this situation, a basic sense of trust does not form, anxiety increases, and loneliness and depression become inevitable.”
Excessive exposure to artificial intelligence traps people in loneliness
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that stress produces different results from person to person, saying, “Under stress, serotonin decreases in some individuals, and depression develops. In others, the target organ is the stomach, leading to gastritis or ulcers. In still others, skin problems begin. This difference is due to genetic polymorphism. Furthermore, epigenetic learnings, meaning environmental influences, can also alter gene expression, making a person vulnerable. Excessive exposure to artificial intelligence, when it becomes a habit, automates and traps people in loneliness.”
When used appropriately, it facilitates achieving goals
Emphasizing “dosage” to prevent artificial intelligence from enslaving humans, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, “Snake venom is poison, but it is also medicine. If used in moderation, it is beneficial; if used excessively, it poisons. Artificial intelligence is the same. When used appropriately, it facilitates achieving goals; when used for wrong purposes, it poisons the individual. The whole point is for a person to have inner discipline and be able to manage their own emotions.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also mentioned that the need for approval is one of humanity's biological weaknesses, stating, “Humans have four fundamental biological drives: the desire to express oneself, an interest in beauty, the desire to be powerful, and the search for eternity. These drives create the need for approval. However, when this need is misused, it turns into a threat. The American Psychological Association considers sharing more than three ‘ego gratification’ posts per day as risky for narcissism.”
Artificial intelligence makes significant contributions to personalized treatment
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also touched upon the advantages offered by artificial intelligence in the field of health, stating that it makes a significant contribution to personalized treatments. He said, “As Uskudar University NPİSTANBUL Hastanesi, we have patented systems that evaluate data such as brain signals and neuroimaging records with artificial intelligence to facilitate diagnosis. This reduces the possibility of error. This is called precision medicine, or personalized, precise medicine. Artificial intelligence offers significant support to physicians in this area.”
Emphasizing that the final word in artificial intelligence use should belong to humans, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, “Artificial intelligence can reduce human labeling and increase the feeling of hope by showing treatment examples. However, what should not be forgotten is this: I will be at the wheel, not artificial intelligence. When we use it as a support mechanism, it can be a technological marvel that facilitates us in reaching our goal.”
Information obtained must be verified
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan drew attention to the biggest risk in the use of artificial intelligence being unverified information and the disregard of ethical standards, stating, “You will use artificial intelligence, but the information you obtain must definitely be confirmed. That is, it needs to be verified. It is beneficial to question it again with inverse questions in another way.”
Age 22 is a critical threshold
Pointing out that young people are more vulnerable to artificial intelligence, Prof. Dr. Tarhan reminded of the brain development process and said:
“Although childhood is legally considered to end at 18, the integration of the brain's left hemisphere (rational), right hemisphere (emotional), and prefrontal cortex (executive) is generally completed at age 22. This period is called the age of maturity. Until the age of 22, individuals are at risk in terms of proper analysis and decision-making infrastructure. Those over 22 with accumulated experience carry less risk. However, lonely individuals, those with depression, anxious people, impulsive-impatient individuals, and those with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder should be much more careful in their interactions with artificial intelligence. This is because individuals who cannot regulate their emotions or establish social relationship regulation may make erroneous decisions by using artificial intelligence as a false advisor.”
If there is no algorithm transparency, the danger is great
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that ethical use in artificial intelligence is primarily the responsibility of technology companies, saying, “If technology companies act to maximize profit and disregard ethical standards, there is a great danger for humanity. Algorithm transparency is definitely needed. The biggest risk arises when individuals are guided by secret algorithms. Currently, there is no global regulation on this issue, but it will happen sooner or later, it has to. Because if algorithms are not transparent, they can mislead people.”
Artificial intelligence should not do homework
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that they brought up the topic of artificial intelligence in the university senate, explaining their approach to education as follows:
“We said, ‘Let's forbid banning artificial intelligence.’ Because artificial intelligence has entered our lives. A student can get information from artificial intelligence but must present it with their own interpretation. Instructors should also develop themselves in this area. Artificial intelligence cannot write a novel, but it can provide a draft, it can assist. If a student develops the information they receive from artificial intelligence with their own thoughts, this both prevents plagiarism and facilitates learning.”
It should be an assistant, not a captain!
Referring to the role of artificial intelligence, Prof. Dr. Tarhan concluded his words by saying, “Artificial intelligence should be our assistant, not our captain. When we use it as a support mechanism, it facilitates us in reaching our goal, but the steering wheel should always be in human hands.”