Over the years, people needed a decent level of experience in the mental health field and programming talent to create mental health apps. However, AI technology has barreled through the sector, making it much easier for people to craft these apps.
While there are upsides to this, there are equally downsides that need to be addressed.
AI Mental Health Apps Hold Some Benefits
Popular generative AI chatbots like ChatGPT and other models purpose-built for mental health can analyze language, identify patterns, and even mimic human conversation, making them surprisingly adept companions on the journey to emotional well-being.
Traditional therapy can be expensive, time-consuming, and geographically limited. On the contrary, AI apps offer 24/7 access to support, regardless of location or financial constraints, which can become a lifeline for individuals in underserved communities or those facing logistical challenges.
However, the ease by which people can craft these “mental health apps” with AI opens the door to snake oil salesmen, i.e., apps lacking scientific foundation and peddled by those ill-equipped to handle the delicate intricacies of the human psyche.
Mental health deals with the fragile tapestry of human emotions. Unproven interventions, at best, are ineffective; at worst, they can exacerbate existing conditions.
Why AI Apps Need a Benchmark
The absence of credentialed professionals at the helm is a recipe for disaster. Crafting mental health tools requires more than just technical prowess.
It demands a deep understanding of human psychology, clinical expertise, and ethical considerations. A software engineer, however brilliant, cannot replicate the years of training and experience that equip a therapist to navigate the intricacies of mental health.
The rise of AI mental health apps calls for clear, non-negotiable standards that would serve as crucial beacons that guide developers and users alike towards apps grounded in evidence and capable of delivering genuine help.
It may seem daunting, but the aim is not to stifle innovation but rather to provide a framework to ensure that the sea of AI mental health apps doesn’t become a tempest of quackery and empty promises.
