Mental Health / AI- 12/10/24

Exploring the intersection between AI and Mental Health

Welcome to my weekly newsletter built to demystify the role of AI in mental health care, offering insights, research, and practical applications that can enhance both therapeutic practices and client outcomes. I also plan to shed light on the major concerns and challenges that AI brings to mental health.

What to expect each week:

𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Stay updated on the newest AI tools and technologies being integrated into mental health practices, from chatbots offering support to advanced data analytics that inform treatment plans.

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: Dive into the latest studies that explore the efficacy of AI-driven interventions and their impact on traditional therapy models.

𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: As AI becomes more prevalent, it raises essential ethical questions. My newsletter will tackle these challenges, discussing topics like data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the implications of relying on technology in therapeutic settings.

𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞!

To follow along on this journey, I invite you to also connect with me on LinkedIn by clicking below 👇:

In the News…

Citation Tool Offers a New Approach to Trustworthy AI-Generated Content

Here’s a step in the right direction regarding establishing trustworthiness of content generated by AI.

A Call for Transparency in Mental Health AI Software

This will be an ongoing series over the next few weeks, highlighting different areas requiring greater levels of transparency.

Data Sources and Training

• AI needs DATA to train and learn. Where is that data coming from? With many apps, your guess is as good as mine because they don’t share this info. In theory, data sources for AI mental health apps should come from specific sources related to mental health treatment such as therapy transcripts and research articles. BUT, LLMs continue to create agreements with major social media companies to purchase their info to train their AI models.

  • Just think, your AI mental health chatbot could be providing feedback based on a TikTok “influencer”…

• The first step in improving this area is to require all mental health AI software to fully disclose the inputs of their LLM. Probably won’t happen without government regulation, so it’s on you to seek out this info.

  • If a company isn’t willing to provide this info, what’s that telling you??

Limitations and Risks

• AI software should clearly communicate their limitations, such as inability to handle crisis situations, potential inaccuracies, or when their guidance is based on incomplete data.

  • This is especially important related to high-stakes situations like suicidality.

• AI software CANNOT market itself as therapy. That can only be done by a licensed professional. If you encounter any type of app, chatbot, site, etc. that markets itself as “AI therapy”, stay far far away. This is unethical, and some could argue illegal promotion of services.

• The first step is AI software CLEARLY stating their risks and limitations in a prominent place on their website/app.

If you’re in the mental health space, especially if you’re a licensed mental health provider, you need to know that the FULL LIABILITY of offering AI assisted tech to your client falls onto YOU! If something happens that is harmful to your client, it’s your license on the line.

More to come next week…