‘Dry chatting'? The dangers of using AI for tough, real-life conversations

A surprising use of artificial intelligence is emerging as people turn to chatbots to prepare for difficult conversations.

"Dry chatting" with AI refers to rehearsing tough chats with artificial intelligence apps.

Users role-play the conversation with chatbots to gain an understanding of how the real-life conversation might go.

People claim it helps prepare them and structure their arguments, reducing the anxiety they feel about starting the conversation in real life.

However, professionals are now speaking out about the dangers of relying on AI in this way, and Daniel Van der Pluym, a certified mental health coach and psychotherapist, is the latest to issue a warning to regular chatbot users.

Van der Pluym, the founder of Deeper Potential Coaching in Australia, acknowledges AI can be a helpful resource.

"For someone who feels anxious or needs some guidance about a difficult conversation, AI can offer timely support to organize relevant information, their thoughts, rehearse language and reduce the emotional intensity before speaking to another person," he explains.

However, the biggest flaw in using chatbots, he says, is confirmation bias.

This is the way AI apps are designed to be agreeable with the user, confirming what you already believe.

Van der Pluym says chatbots "often over-validate the position of the end user."

"That can feel supportive, but it may also reinforce the user's existing story: 'I'm right, they're wrong, I have the right to continue what I am doing or saying.'

"A highly skilled therapist, or coach can be a relation of trust and safety with the client, to gently challenge and confront false perceptions or biases.

"A therapist or coach may point out what the client is missing, and encourage accountability for their part in the interaction. AI may not do this consistently."

So while a user may find they are practicing well for a difficult conversation, they may come out with a reaffirmed belief that they are right and the other person is firmly in the wrong.

Ultimately, this could lead to real-life conflict, rather than helping users find common ground.

And having someone agree with you all of the time is addictive.

This can lead to people turning to AI in place of real human conversations and avoiding seeking professional advice and help from a therapist.

"Repeated interaction with AI as a real person may worsen experiential avoidance, social isolation, or may create emotional dependence," Van der Pluym says.

"For users who are mentally and emotionally vulnerable, it could contribute to a sense of derealization or detachment from real human interaction, because the "relationship" feels responsive but lacks true human connection," he explains.

Van der Pluym says that AI can be "a good starting point or basis, to help the individual prepare for a real human conversation."

"It becomes problematic when it is utilized as a substitute for the real conversation," he adds.

"As a general rule: use AI to draft, build strategies and rehearse, then take the conversation back to real human interaction."

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This story was originally published June 25, 2026 at 1:21 PM.