What happens when the AI companion you rely on simply disappears? For people using mental health chatbots, social robots, or always-on support tools, discontinuation is not just a technical inconvenience. When funding runs out, servers shut down, or companies close, users can lose a system they have built routines, trust, and even emotional connection around. In a mental health context, that abrupt ending can feel like being ghosted—and the consequences can be real.

We explore this uncomfortable reality through the story of Jibo, the charming social robot that began as an MIT project and eventually had to say goodbye when the business behind it collapsed. From there, we unpack why people bond with machines in the first place: expressive design, humanlike conversation, anthropomorphism, and the simple fact that something helpful can start to feel like a partner. Research shows that people can become attached not only to social robots, but also to everyday devices and practical tools—raising new questions as large language model chatbots become more empathetic, conversational, and personal.

The clinical lesson is clear: endings matter. In human therapy, transitions are handled with care through closure sessions, support planning, and a focus on building independence rather than dependence. We discuss what ethical offboarding for mental health AI could look like, including advance notice, gradual tapering, progress summaries, data portability, and clear pathways to human support. As AI becomes more deeply woven into emotional and clinical care, designing a responsible goodbye may be just as important as designing the first hello.

References:

Artificial Intelligence Discontinuation Effects (AI-DICE): An Emerging Phenomenon in Mental Health Applications
Kelly et al.
JMIR AI (2026)

Credits:

Theme music: Nowhere Land, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/