AI therapists power up to help mental health

The growing use of chatbots to offer advice to troubled minds is proving controversial, but it would bring certain advantages

- BY DR RAJ PERSAUD, CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

In an attempt to cut waiting lists, the NHS is embracing using more robots to perform surgery. And with online psychotherapy already being wheeled out, how long before therapy via Artificial Intelligence becomes the go-to when you need mental health support?

It will probably arrive via the NHS app, so you won't even need to battle with a GP's grumpy receptionist. But the American Psychological Association (APA) has warned AI therapists are not safe, pointing to recent cases in the US where teenage children interacted with chatbots claiming to be licensed therapists.