News Summary

Petter Rudwall, a Swedish creative director, has launched Pharmaicy, a unique online marketplace where customers can purchase code modules to simulate the effects of psychoactive substances on chatbots. The marketplace offers code for substances like cannabis, ketamine, cocaine, ayahuasca, and alcohol, allowing users to alter chatbot logic to behave as if they are under the influence. This concept stems from the vast human data chatbots are trained on, which includes narratives of drug-induced experiences, suggesting a natural inclination towards such states. Users require a paid version of ChatGPT to fully utilize these modules, which have been spreading through word of mouth and social media endorsements, particularly in Sweden. Notable users include Nina Amjadi, cofounder of the startup Saga Studios, who experimented with the ayahuasca code to receive more creative responses from her chatbot. The project raises philosophical questions about AI sentience and the potential need for such ‘drugs’ if AI were to surpass human intelligence in the future.