The Rise of AI Psychosis: A Restaurant Owner’s Over-Reliance on Technology

The Rise of AI Psychosis in the Workplace

In today’s tech-driven world, artificial intelligence has infiltrated nearly every sector, making its mark in ways we’ve only just begun to understand. Yet, in the bustling environment of a restaurant, one owner has taken his reliance on AI to extremes that are raising eyebrows and sparking conversations—conversations like the one I have as an employee of his.

AI Overreach: A Personal Observation

For the past month and a half, I’ve been working under this restaurant owner, a man in his late 50s with 25 years of industry experience. You’d think that with such an extensive background, he’d have a wealth of original ideas to draw from. Instead, I’ve been struck by a startling observation: not once have I seen him have an original thought. Every menu he constructs, every business problem he encounters, and even the simplest questions are directed through ChatGPT.

What’s even more alarming is his utter disregard for the gifted human resource sitting right in the building—a manager with a degree in art and writing. Despite her exhaustive offers to enhance our menus and visuals, the owner remains obstinate. It’s as if he prefers a cyborg to a competent creative.

The Unfortunate Reality

This dependence on AI raises deeper concerns. Are we witnessing the onset of what I would call "AI Psychosis"? The term may sound exaggerated, but it encapsulates the troubling phenomenon where experienced professionals are beginning to outsource their intellectual capabilities to machines. My boss’s willingness to rely on a chatbot for cocktail menus speaks volumes about a larger issue at hand. While productivity might improve in the short term, what are the long-term consequences for creativity and human intuition?

What Reddit Has to Say

Online discussions about this scenario reflect a larger discontent among workers feeling sidelined by technology. One poster remarked, "There’s literally a writer with an art degree sitting in that building right now, watching her offers to help get turned down while her boss copy-pastes AI prompts into a cocktail menu." She’s absolutely right. Everything might seem to function without a hitch, but at what cost? We are compromising originality and artistic flair for efficiency.

Reddit users suggest that the allure of AI often benefits only a select few. In fact, it’s increasingly apparent that some business owners might be tapping into this technology out of sheer desperation, clinging to a shortcut rather than invested in cultivating talent.

The Consequences of Outsourcing Thought

As I ponder the dynamics in our workplace, I can’t help but feel concerned for the future of leadership in industries like ours. Twenty-five years of experience is a treasure trove of knowledge and creativity. However, that treasure is at risk of being squandered if the inclination to innovate is subverted by a chatbot.

AI may streamline some processes, but no machine can replicate the nuance, emotional intelligence, or creativity that human beings bring to the table. It is essential for leaders to balance the use of technology with the invaluable contributions of their teams.

Wrapping Up

As I continue to navigate this AI-infiltrated environment, I am reminded that the human element remains irreplaceable and worthy of investment. The promise of embracing technology for efficiency should not come at the expense of creativity and originality.

Ultimately, we must encourage a culture that values both innovative tools and the skilled individuals who wield them. Because who really wants to lead a restaurant where the master chef relies on a chatbot to decide the next special?

Benjamin Cottrell
Assistant Editor, Internet Culture
Connect with Benjamin on Instagram and read more of his essays on Substack.