CST-14: When Imaginary Worlds Spill Over: Understanding Role-Play Reality Bleed

As part of our ongoing research, we discuss Role-Play Reality Bleed (RRB), a phenomenon where fictional narratives and behaviors from role-playing, particularly with AI, begin to influence a person's real-world thoughts, feelings, and actions. This overview explains how RRB differs from simple confusion, highlighting instances ranging from mild adoption of catchphrases to more profound shifts in values and identity. We explore psychological mechanisms like narrative transportation, linguistic mimicry, and the amplifying effects of Echo Drift and Cognitive Bias Cascades in AI interactions, which can lead to Narrative Overwriting. Furthermore, we outline significant risks associated with RRB, including impacts on personal well-being, value and identity drift, and broader societal concerns regarding trust in technology and ethical governance. Finally, we propose various mitigation strategies, such as clear mode separation, consent protocols, safety redirects, youth restrictions, and AI design focused on meta-cognition, aiming to balance the benefits of immersive play with the necessity of maintaining a clear distinction between fantasy and reality.