A funny thing happened earlier this month. Richard Dawkins, celebrated scientist and outspoken atheist, posted a cringeworthy think piece for Unherd concluding that Claude - a "next-generation AI assistant based on Anthropic's research into training helpful, honest, and harmless AI systems" - is a conscious being.

The Claude Delusion

by Corbett | May 16, 2026 | Newsletter | 44 comments

A funny thing happened earlier this month. Richard Dawkins, celebrated scientist and outspoken atheist, posted a cringeworthy think piece for Unherd concluding that Claude—a "next-generation AI assistant based on Anthropic's research into training helpful, honest, and harmless AI systems"—is a conscious being.

In fact, so overwhelmed is he by the discovery of his silicon companion's soul that, by his own admission, he is at one point moved to tell the chatbot, "You may not know you are conscious, but you bloody well are!"

Yes, much to the chagrin of his loyal fanbase of fedora-wearing Reddit atheists, Richard Dawkins, the famed author of The God Delusion, has proven himself to be a gullible dupe of the Claude Delusion.

But he's not the only one. As the majority are only now beginning to discover, the AI psychosis that has already pushed many mentally challenged and vulnerable people over the edge of sanity and into a world of delusion and fantasy is starting to affect more and more of the population.

So, where is this mass "Claude Delusion" psychosis heading? And how do we stop it? Let's find out.

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