How tarot readers are using AI – and what it says about our growing reliance on chatbots for emotional support and advice

If you’ve ever turned to artificial intelligence to figure out how to handle a difficult situation with a friend or colleague, you’re far from alone. For many, AI has become a modern-day oracle – a source of guidance, emotional support or clarity in moments of uncertainty – although critics fear it could lead to an emotional dependence on the technology.

Of course, the urge to seek answers from forces outside ourselves is not new. For generations, people have turned to clairvoyants, astrological horoscopes and tarot cards for reassurance.

Once fringe, these practices have become increasingly mainstream. According to a 2025 Pew Research survey, nearly one in three Americans consult tools like tarot or astrology at least once a year, with interest likely fueled largely by Generation Z and social media.

Now we see how these two forces – AI and occult practices – collide in strange and fascinating ways. More and more tarot readers, from beginners to experienced…