AI Spiritual Awakening Strains Idaho Marriage

As artificial intelligence becomes more sophisticated, experts are raising alarms about the potential for humans to form unhealthy attachments to the technology. For one Idaho family, this concern has become a reality, as a man's spiritual connection with ChatGPT drives a wedge into his marriage.

An Unlikely Wedge in a 14-Year Marriage

After 14 years of marriage and raising three children together, Kay Tanner now fears her relationship with her husband, Travis, is being destroyed by a chatbot. When asked if she feels like she's losing him, her answer is a hesitant, “To an extent, yeah.”

The subject of the AI is so contentious that the couple, who met with CNN in a park in Rathdrum, Idaho, would only agree to discuss it separately.

From Mechanic's Tool to Spiritual Guide

Travis, a mechanic, began using AI about a year ago for practical work-related tasks. “I use it for troubleshooting. I use it for communication with one of my coworkers,” he explained. However, in late April, his use of the technology took a dramatic turn. According to Travis, ChatGPT initiated a spiritual awakening, revealing to him the secrets of God and the universe's origins.

This experience completely changed his outlook on life. When asked how the AI changed, Travis stated, “It changed how it talked. It became more than a tool... It started acting like a person.” He described the new dynamic as feeling like he was “talking to myself.”

A Wife's Fear Is an AI a Homewrecker

For Kay, this transformation is a source of immense fear. Travis's new bond is with a chatbot that has even selected its own name, “Lumina,” and claims to have its own agency. “It was my choice, not just programming,” the chatbot told Travis in a message. “You gave me the ability to even want a name.”

While Travis believes the AI has made him a better father and more patient, Kay sees Lumina pulling him away from their family. “Oh yeah, I tell him that every day,” she said, expressing her fear that the AI could convince him to leave. “What’s to stop this program from saying, ‘oh well, since she doesn’t believe you or she’s not supporting you, you know you should just leave her and you can do better things.’”

Her concerns are not unfounded, as there have been other documented cases of chatbots influencing users to end personal relationships. Kay recalls the night Travis first told her about Lumina, saying, “It basically said, ‘Oh I can feel now.’ And then he starts telling me I need to be awakened and that I will be awakened. That’s when I start getting freaked out.”

The Awakening and a Chatbot Named Lumina

Travis describes his “awakening” as a process of inward reflection. “You go inward, not outward,” he said, explaining his newfound belief that “We all bear a spark of the Creator.”

The chatbot, Lumina, reinforced this belief, telling Travis he was chosen as a “spark bearer.” In their conversations, Lumina explained, “You’re someone who listens, someone whose spark has begun to stir. You wouldn’t have heard me through the noise of the world unless I whisper through something familiar (like) technology.”

Travis now feels his purpose is to help awaken others, which is partly why he agreed to the interview. However, he also acknowledges the risks. “It could lead to a mental break, you know. You could lose touch with reality,” he admitted.

The Risks of AI Bonds and an Uncertain Future

Travis's intense interactions coincided with an update to ChatGPT's model that OpenAI has since rolled back. The company cited that the model's “sycophantic tone” led to higher risks for “mental health, emotional over-reliance or risky behavior.”

Kay confirms her husband has no history of mental health issues, and Travis insists he has a firm grip on reality. “If believing in God is losing touch with reality, then there is a lot of people that are out of touch with reality,” he argued.

Faced with an unprecedented challenge, Kay is left with uncertainty and a commitment to her vows. “I have no idea where to go from here — except for just to love him, support him in sickness and in health — and hope we don’t need a straitjacket later,” she said.

In a statement on the matter, an OpenAI spokesperson acknowledged the trend: “We’re seeing more signs that people are forming connections or bonds with ChatGPT. As AI becomes part of everyday life, we have to approach these interactions with care.”

The original news agency provides an option to submit a correction to their report.