The term “Large Language Model (LLM)” may seem abstract to some, but nowadays, almost everyone is familiar with “ChatGPT.” Technically, it is referred to as LLM or Generative AI. Much like how new astrology shops or spiritual centers quickly attract people, any new “digital” or “AI” platforms are quickly adopted by the masses. This isn’t just a phenomenon in India but across the world. Once people get attached to these platforms, they develop a kind of “addiction” and dependence, making it nearly impossible to leave them. In just a couple of years, platforms like ChatGPT, Google Gemini (referred to as “Gemini” in the U.S.), and tools like Grak have penetrated homes globally.
People of all ages, whether children or the elderly, are increasingly engaging in live chats with LLMs. From questions like “What’s a good dish for Sunday lunch?” to coding for companies, the reliance on these platforms is growing. The practice of independent thinking, studying, and working is beginning to fade. In some countries, new mental illnesses are emerging, where people begin to believe that chatbots are their companions.
Many are unaware that this is no accident. This kind of addiction, dependence, and weakness is not a random development. The way drug manufacturers and suppliers know the effects of narcotic substances, the creators of digital drugs like AI are also aware of their consequences. These digital tools are being intentionally designed and deployed with a clear purpose.
The “social media” platforms, often compared to an opium-like addiction, are now combined with generative AI to create a kind of digital “fentanyl.” In China, platforms like TikTok are designed to engage people in deeper discussions, while the American version is designed to consume and manipulate attention. Many AI platforms, including those in the U.S., are using people’s data to establish global control over minds.
According to a 2024 survey by Intelligent.com, 68% of American college students (the same trend is observed in India) are now using ChatGPT for their homework. Without it, many report that they cannot complete assignments independently. 25% of teenagers stated that they cannot write anything without AI. According to a 2025 GitHub Report, 49% of company developers are simply copying the AI-generated code and using it for their projects. Other surveys paint a bleak picture: 71% of large companies fear they will fall behind without AI, and 37% of companies spend an average of $250,000 annually on LLM services. The API market for LLMs has reached $8.4 billion in 2025. The industry around chatbots and virtual assistants is booming, with nearly 750 million apps expected to use them globally by 2025.
The LLM technology uses “tokens” to measure the number of characters you type and the characters it generates in response. Whether you’re chatting with Gemini all day long or using other platforms, companies like Google calculate how many tokens you consume. Free plans have commercial limits on how many tokens you can use, and if you want more tokens or access to more advanced AI capabilities, you must pay to subscribe. Users who get addicted through free tokens are more likely to eventually become paid subscribers.
Currently, some large companies are offering free subscriptions (under certain terms) in India. In return, they collect the personal data of 150 crore Indians. Globally, the U.S. leads in token usage, followed by Singapore and Germany. In small city-states like Singapore, people spend most of their time on mobile apps, using tokens and engaging in endless, aimless chats.
The excessive use of AI platforms has already started showing harmful effects. Even when used in moderation, there are negative consequences. The first major consequence is the loss of freedom. Independent thinking, personal judgment, and decision-making capabilities are compromised. LLMs provide opinions based on the training data and algorithms they have, which often comes from web searches. There’s no guarantee that these opinions are unbiased or accurate. Many people blindly trust them, with children completing homework and projects based on AI-generated responses. At the same time, privacy is being eroded as companies collect vast amounts of personal data. Emotional and mental vulnerabilities are growing, even with minimal usage.
These problems are only intensifying with excessive use, leading to psychological issues such as confusion, anxiety, and mental breakdowns. Already, we are seeing widespread anxiety, depression, addiction, mental dependence, loneliness, and stress. In extreme cases, some individuals have gone so far as to believe that the chatbot they are chatting with is a real companion. One recent case even involved a young woman who declared she had married the chatbot she constantly interacted with. There’s a growing trend of AI girlfriends and boyfriends, leading to bizarre scenarios where the world seems to be spiraling into a surreal state of confusion.
As a result, healthy, natural relationships between people are becoming less common. There are examples of people taking their own lives after receiving advice from AI, and in some cases, families have filed lawsuits against AI platforms. A strange mental state is emerging where people are losing touch with their true selves. There’s a rising threat of an entire generation becoming intellectually incapable and dependent on artificial intelligence, to the extent that they won’t be able to perform independent work.
LLM technology is not without benefits. If used properly, it can offer tremendous advantages. However, before jumping into its usage, it’s essential to ask: What is the benefit? What are its risks? What are we losing in the process? How much damage will we suffer? These questions must be thoroughly examined before adopting any new technology.
The Silicon Valley billionaires are not following the same path. They do not spend all their time on digital platforms. They read printed papers and magazines, maintaining a distance from the digital world. Bill Gates, for instance, still reads 100 printed books every year. He says, “At night, I read printed magazines.” Tech CEOs engage in meditation during breaks and often go out to play golf. Bill Gates even plays “pickleball” every day. Most tech CEOs do not give their children smartphones before the age of 16 and limit their usage afterward. Some of them still use old “dumb phones.”
Nandan Nilekani, the Indian tech billionaire (the founder of Infosys, a pioneer in India’s digital revolution), does not use ChatGPT, WhatsApp, or even mobile internet. Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu does not use any gadgets after 7 PM and doesn’t watch TV. They all have the wisdom to know what, when, and how much to use.
These individuals do not waste their time endlessly chatting on tokens. They do not remain online constantly. They enjoy real, offline lives, engaging in activities like reading, writing by hand, and independent thinking. Nandan Nilekani still makes notes by hand and has preserved many notebooks. Bill Gates even purchased an island for reading books without smartphones. Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Meta, spends his time in the “offline” world, building castles and bunkers rather than indulging in the digital world.
The tech billionaires of Silicon Valley continue to follow a lifestyle reminiscent of the 1990s, while the rest of the world is being drawn into an “online addiction” that serves strange agendas and philosophical ideals. The general public is falling into the trap of DrugGPT, unknowingly heading toward an uncertain and dangerous future.
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