The human touch matters: The dangers behind AI therapists and why they aren’t ready to replace real experts

One of the defining technological advancements of recent years has been the rapid development of artificial intelligence. In a short period of time AI seems to have gone from a theoretical principle to an everyday tool, something that tens of millions of Americans now use every day.

So far the growth of AI has been restricted to certain tasks, but there is an assumption that it will quickly spread to new areas and different industries. However there are still major flaws in AI capabilities when compared to humans and experts have warned about the risks in using the technology for therapy.

Dr Roman Raczka, president of the British Psychological Society, has written a stark warning in The Guardian, outlining some of the potential issues.

He wrote: “AI cannot replicate genuine human empathy and there is a risk that it creates an illusion of connection rather than meaningful interaction. Concerns also remain about data privacy and the dangers of becoming overly dependent on technology.”

However it wasn’t all negative and there were some areas that could actually be fertile ground for AI intervention. With medical services around the world increasingly stretched, the technology could be used as an additional resource alongside the traditional human appointments.

Dr Raczka continued: “When used appropriately, AI can offer an anonymous, judgment-free space that’s accessible 24/7. This could be a useful addition to existing in-person mental health services.”

As is the case in most industries, artificial intelligence offers the chance to automate part of the usual processes to ensure that the limited human resources can be used more effectively. But there are very real boundaries with AI, and when combined with the high-stakes nature of medical treatment, experts urge caution before switching to an AI-focused system.

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