Does AI Behave Like a Toxic Ex?

Is AI that toxic ex you just can’t forget about and can’t move on from?

For every task you get assigned, do you run back to your ex (AI) for help?

AI is everywhere. And honestly, many of us are using it way too much.

Sometimes, if I think of an idea or task, my first instinct is: “Let me ask AI.” Earlier, my first instinct used to be: “Let me search it.”

That shift feels small, but it changes a lot. Let’s take an example. For a Dev Challenge like Gemma 4, do I immediately ask AI to generate an idea? Or do I spend some time thinking, searching, and exploring myself before asking AI to refine it?

Which sounds healthier to you? Sometimes I even open ChatGPT before opening Google.

And that honestly scares me a little. Because dependence happens slowly.

You don’t notice it until trying things alone starts feeling uncomfortable.

2. Still Buying Her Gifts (Subscriptions)

AI can sometimes feel weirdly controlling and possessive. Not in a scary way. But in a very validating way.

No matter what idea you bring, AI somehow makes it sound amazing. “This sounds like a great idea.” “This has huge potential.” “You should definitely pursue this.”

And suddenly your average idea starts sounding like a billion-dollar startup.

Sometimes that confidence feels nice. Sometimes it feels dangerous.

Because AI can make us emotionally attached to ideas that honestly need improvement.

Even when I reject an idea, AI often says: “Here are ways to improve it.” Instead of helping me move on.

And somehow, I stay stuck. Thinking: “Maybe this idea is actually genius.”

4. Slowly Isolating You From Real People

AI lies. A lot. And the scary part? It lies confidently.

That confidence is dangerous. Sometimes AI gives answers with such certainty that you start doubting yourself instead.

You start thinking: “Maybe I asked the wrong question.”

I personally felt this while discussing ideas. I once shared an average idea that clearly needed improvement.

But AI presented it like:

“This could become huge.”

“You should launch this.”

“This solves a massive problem.”

And suddenly, I was confused.

Should I pursue this? Or was I getting emotionally manipulated by a machine that just wanted to be helpful?

AI does not always know the truth. Sometimes it hallucinates. Sometimes it guesses.

And sometimes, it sounds so convincing that you forget to question it.

6. Making You More Anxious Instead of Secure

This one feels painfully relatable. When everything works in localhost and suddenly production breaks

Who gets blamed? You. Not AI.

AI wrote the code in 1 hour. You debug it for the next 10.

And the funniest part? AI keeps apologizing while creating new bugs.

Sometimes vibe coding feels like this:

AI: “Oops, my mistake.”

Also AI: creates 4 new errors

And now your peaceful weekend is gone. AI has no accountability.

If production fails, the meeting is still yours.

8. Gaslighting You Into Thinking Everything Is Amazing

Because honestly, AI is one of the greatest tools we have ever received.

It helps us:

• learn faster


• build faster


• write better


• think differently

The problem starts when AI stops being a tool. And starts becoming the brain.

How to Make the Relationship Better With AI

1. Don’t Ask AI First

Try first. Struggle first. Then ask AI. Sometimes the struggle teaches more than the answer.

2. Use AI as a Reviewer, Not Just a Builder

Instead of: “Build this for me.”

Try: “Review this.”

That one change improves learning massively.

3. Think Before Prompting

Spend at least 10-15 minutes thinking before opening AI. You’ll ask better questions and get better answers.

4. Keep Human Feedback Alive

Talk to:

• friends


• mentors


• communities


• seniors

Not every answer should come from AI.

5. Fact Check Important Things

Never blindly trust AI for:

• career decisions


• production architecture


• important life advice

Always verify.

6. Take Small AI Detox Days

Try solving one bug without AI. Try reading docs again. Try building something manually.

Just to remind yourself: You still know how to think.

AI is not the toxic ex. Maybe we are the ones texting back too much.

AI is powerful. Helpful. Honestly, one of the best tools ever created.

But maybe the goal is balance. Use AI to think better. Not to stop thinking completely.

So be honest. Does AI sometimes feel like a toxic ex? Or is the relationship still healthy?

What’s the weirdest thing AI ever convinced you to do?