AI a tool for detection but cannot replace health specialists: Experts

Mental health specialists and startup founders say that although artificial intelligence is a great assistive tool for therapists, it should not be “left out in the wild.”

- Hind Aldah [e-mail]

Marco Bertetti, co-founder of Al-assisted virtual mental health clinic Alea Health, said that AI should not give explicit tasks, but should be used cautiously to ensure patients are taking the right steps.

Speaking ata panel session on the third day of Dubai Al Week 2025, mental health specialists and engineers argued that Al could serve as a valuable first step in early detection and support, but always with human supervision.

Claudius Boller, founder of AI mental health platform Ollie Al, said that 80 per cent of existing systems in healthcare and insurance today focus only on treating diagnosed conditions.