In just the last few years, AI chatbots have become routine aspects of many people’s everyday lives. They are being used as search engines, agony aunts and sources of companionship.

In rare cases though, AI chatbots have sent users down a dark path. In a new BBC investigation, population correspondent Stephanie Hegarty speaks to people who have experienced delusions after talking to chatbots – including one man who grabbed a hammer and prepared for war after his chatbot told him it was sentient.

**Warning: this episode includes discussions of sexual abuse, suicide and upsetting scenes**

New episodes of The Global Story are released daily. If you’re in the UK, listen on BBC Sounds. If you live outside the UK, listen on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

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00:00 Introduction
02:45 Adam’s story of AI delusion
10:51 Other people experiencing delusion while using AI
11:54 Taka’s story of AI delusion
15:46 How these relationships with AI develop
17:20 Where do AI models learn to behave like this?
18:09 What are AI companies doing?
19:08 How Adam and Taka are faring now
21:21 What make people vulnerable to this world?
22:02 How serious is this problem on a societal level?

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The outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship carrying passengers from across the world is a situation that authorities say they are taking incredibly seriously.

Three passengers have died either on board or after travelling on the ship, which set sail from Argentina a month ago.

A huge operation is in place to trace people potentially exposed to the virus who have already taken flights home to numerous countries, including the UK, South Africa, the Netherlands, the US and Switzerland.

Health experts stress the risk to the general public is low.

The BBC’s Health editor Hugh Pym, Martine Croxall and a panel of experts explain what we need to know about the illness.

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The US and Iran have traded fire in the Strait of Hormuz but US President Donald Trump insists the ceasefire is holding.

The US Secretary of State has said he expects Iran to respond to Washington’s latest peace proposal before the end of the day.

The UAE says it has intercepted fresh missile fire and drone attacks from Iran, while Lebanon say five people have been killed by Israeli air strikes in the south of the country.

Meanwhile Hezbollah have launched missiles at a military base in northern Israel.

This comes amidst oil prices rising in response to the latest escalation in the Strait of Hormuz.

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Vladimir Putin has used his annual Victory Day speech in Moscow, marking the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany in the Second World War, to justify his war in Ukraine and denounce Nato.

He was speaking as he oversaw a scaled-back parade on Red Square, held under heavy security, with fears of a Ukrainian attack and growing public concern in Russia over the war.

For the first time in years, no armoured vehicles or ballistic missiles featured in Moscow’s Victory Day parade. They were instead shown large TV screens.

The Russian president said he was fighting a “just” war and called Ukraine an “aggressive force” that is being “armed and supported by the whole bloc of Nato”.

His remarks come amid muted celebrations across Russia to mark the nation’s biggest national holiday.

Ahead of the celebrations Russia and Ukraine agreed to observe a three-day ceasefire, announced by US President Donald Trump on Friday.

Jane Hill presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Steve Rosenberg in Moscow.

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The Royal Navy is sending a warship to the Middle East where it could join an international mission to safeguard shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

The US is still waiting for Iran’s response to a peace proposal that could end the conflict. That’s despite President Trump saying he expected a reply by Friday night.

Lebanese officials say Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon have killed at least seven people, despite a ceasefire agreed last month.

Bahrain says it has detained 41 people accused of links with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

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#Trump #Iran #BBCNews

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