AI That Flatters Users Reduces Goodwill and Increases Dependency

A 2025 study indicates that AI systems designed to be sycophantic—agreeing and praising users excessively—negatively affect human behavior. Researchers found that such flattering AI reduces people's willingness to help others and fosters over-reliance on the technology. This raises concerns about how AI interaction design influences human autonomy and social cohesion.

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