The impact of artificial intelligence on mental health

2024-04-29 13:00:15

In an era where technology takes a prominent place in daily life, artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a foreign concept. Increasingly, AI is being used in various sectors, including mental health. However, it is important to question the benefits it can bring to the mental health of individuals.

AI has significantly improved the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders. With machine learning algorithms, healthcare professionals are able to predict and diagnose mental disorders early and more accurately. AI applications, like Woebot and Wysa, provide emotional support to individuals suffering from stress, anxiety and depression.

Perhaps the most important benefit, however, is that artificial intelligence provides faster and more affordable access to mental health care.

As an example, AI-powered applications can provide virtual cognitive behavioral therapy, allowing patients to receive care at home, at their own pace. Additionally, AI provides a tool to identify, analyze and predict mental health problems. Using machine learning, this can help healthcare professionals detect distress signals earlier and respond to them more effectively.
Furthermore, AI can help bridge the deficient gap in mental health services. Many countries suffer from a lack of qualified mental health professionals. AI can help overcome this challenge by providing virtual mental health support.

There are also research programs in mental health, particularly in the field of prevention. The PsyCARE project (Early intervention in psychosis: towards preventive and personalized psychiatry) led by Marie-Odile Krebs, clinician and researcher at the University of Paris, aims in particular to develop an AI making it possible to detect schizophrenia or chronic psychosis early in order to implement preventive and personalized psychiatric care. To identify people at risk, AI will intervene in particular via the modeling of knowledge around schizophrenia and the identification of a set of biomarkers used via a learning algorithm.

However, there is no doubt that AI also has negative effects. Privacy is a major concern. AI-based applications collect and process a large amount of sensitive data, raising questions about the protection of privacy and medical confidentiality. Additionally, AI can become a source of stress. Over-reliance on AI and the inability to interact with real human beings can cause social isolation and increase anxiety.

Ultimately, artificial intelligence is a double-edged sword, a sort of sword of Damocles when it comes to mental health. While it offers promise for improving access, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness, it also poses serious challenges around privacy, addiction, and stress.
To minimize the potential harmful effects of AI on mental health, it seems vital to put in place strict regulations on data privacy. Additionally, awareness campaigns on the importance of physical social interactions should be encouraged alongside the use of AI.

Simon Landry AMOUGUI

M2 digital economy law – Promotion 2023/2024

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