Why it matters:
Unlike human therapists who may have varying interpretations or availability, AI can provide a standardized and always-accessible form of psychological assistance. That would help psychotherapists reach stable interpretations among a myriad of findings in diagnosing their patients' disorders.
What they're saying:
Nick Jacobson, an assistant professor of data science and psychiatry at Dartmouth, says even multiplying the current number of therapists tenfold would leave too few to meet demand.
"We need something different to meet this large need."
Vaile Wright, senior director at APA: "a future where you will have an AI-generated chatbot rooted in science that is co-created by experts and developed for the purpose of addressing mental health."
Still, the Dartmouth team recently published a clinical study demonstrating Therabot's effectiveness in helping people with anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
Key points:
- Developers aim to differentiate Therabot from unreliable mental health apps flooding the market.
- Some AI-powered apps prioritize user engagement and revenue over genuine mental health benefits.
- Many apps tell users what they want to hear, potentially misleading young and vulnerable audiences.
The bottom line:
Darlene King of the American Psychiatric Association acknowledges AI's potential but notes that there is still a need for more data.
Go deeper:
U.S., U.K. Reject Paris AI Declaration
seyed mohammad kazemi
