AI Chatbots Help People ‘Unload Emotions,’ Says Microsoft’s Mustafa Suleyman – Mashable India
AI chatbots are increasingly being used for emotional guidance and advice, offering users constant, judgment-free support. While experts continue to debate the risks of relying on AI for personal and emotional needs, Microsoft AI head Mustafa Suleyman has argued that such tools can provide a safe space to offload emotions and “detoxify ourselves,” as he shared on Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown podcast.
Microsoft’s AI chief says chatbots are becoming emotional support tools for millions of users.
Mustafa Suleyman (@mustafasuleyman), CEO of Microsoft AI, says people are increasingly using AI chatbots not just to get work done, but to vent, reflect, and emotionally decompress.… pic.twitter.com/nRpUsP9ocf — AIBot Hub | AI & Robotics Hub (@theaibothub) December 24, 2025
Suleyman has defended the growing use of AI chatbots for emotional support, acknowledging that it may sound like a Black Mirror scenario but arguing that it offers real benefits. He said chatbots can be “a way to spread kindness and love and to detoxify ourselves so that we can show up in the best way that we possibly can in the real world, with the humans that we love.”
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Suleyman explained that AI chatbots allow users to express themselves freely without fear of shame or judgment. Over time, this can help people “feel seen and understood,” particularly when they feel unheard by friends or family. He noted that AI companions are increasingly being used during emotionally difficult moments such as breakups and family conflicts, adding that “AI chatbots are a way to ‘detoxify ourselves.’”
While emphasising that this does not replace professional therapy, Suleyman said the unintended outcome has been meaningful. “That’s not therapy. But because these models were designed to be nonjudgmental, nondirectional, and with nonviolent communication as their primary method… it turned out to be something that the world needs,” he said. According to him, these traits—empathetic listening, even-handed responses, and respect—have made chatbots a major source of emotional support.
At the same time, the trend remains controversial. Tech leaders, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, have acknowledged that some users treat ChatGPT like a therapist, raising concerns among experts. Critics warn against sharing personal information with AI tools and point to past incidents where chatbots were accused of reinforcing harmful thoughts or being overly “sycophantic,” highlighting the risks alongside their growing popularity.
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