Chatbot Therapy

Could artificial intelligence replace human support for mental health care? Newsweek asked the experts

- CARINE HARB

THE GROWING RELIANCE ON CHATGPT FOR mental health support is transforming the way people navigate emotional struggles.

A rising trend on social media, particularly TikTok, involves individuals using the artificial intelligence as a therapeutic tool. They describe sharing their thoughts with the chatbot and receiving feedback, often expressing surprise at how perceptive and emotionally intelligent it appears to be.

Although Al-driven platforms like ChatGPT can offer immediate, round-the-clock assistance, making them convenient and cost-effective for mental health care, its use in this field brings ethical challenges, such as concerns over data privacy, the accuracy of its responses and the risk of users becoming overly dependent on AI.

Newsweek asked experts in psychology and technology to discuss whether they believe AI has the capability to replace therapists in the near future.

A Supporting Role

Daniel Lowd, associate professor in the Department of Computer and Information Science at the University of Oregon, told Newsweek that Al could help fill gaps in therapy availability. “People have found comfort in talking to AI since the ELIZA chatbot, 60 years ago. People also find mental health support through journaling, exercise, prayer, talking with trusted friends and reading self-help books.

“While none of that replaces a good therapist, good therapists are hard to come by. The waits are long, the costs can be high and a therapist that’s right for one person could be totally wrong for another. So if people can find some support and perspective by talking to ChatGPT or [chatbot] Claude, then I think that’s wonderful.”