Young Iranian Finds Comfort in ChatGPT During War

AMMAN, Jordan — Roxana, a 31-year-old shop manager living alone in Tehran, found herself in a state of panic during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. Her family lives outside the Iranian capital, her boyfriend was unreachable due to compulsory military service, and even her psychotherapist had fled the city. In her moment of desperation, Roxana turned to ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence app, for comfort and information.

"I asked it, can you give me a specific time when this is going to end?" Roxana, who did not want her full name used for fear of arrest by Iranian security services, told NPR. The war, which began on June 13 with Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, lasted for 12 days. Iran retaliated by firing ballistic missiles at Israel. The two countries agreed to a ceasefire on Tuesday after the U.S. bombed Iranian sites and prompted an Iranian attack on a U.S. air base in Qatar.

On the third or fourth day of the war, as explosions sounded closer, Roxana tried the AI app. "It gave me some information that was new to me, like the Islamic Republic's attempts to lobby the international community," she said. "It said it might take 10 or 12 more days."

Narges Keshavarznia, an internet access researcher at Filterwatch, a project of the U.S.-based digital rights organization Miaan Group, explained that even though ChatGPT is restricted in Iran, Iranians have been able to access it through specific internet proxies. This has allowed many to seek information and emotional support during the crisis.

Roxana also turned to video games as a form of escapism. "I would play video games for hours just to take my mind off the explosions and the fear," she said. "It was a way to feel like I had some control over my environment."

The war has had a profound impact on the daily lives of Iranians, with many struggling to find reliable sources of information and emotional support. For Roxana, the combination of ChatGPT and video games provided a lifeline during a time of immense uncertainty and fear.

As the ceasefire holds, Roxana remains hopeful but cautious. "I just want things to go back to normal, but I know it will take time," she said. "For now, I have my AI and my games to keep me company."