Mental health and AI chatbots

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has grown rapidly in recent years. Recently, concerning reports have emerged around the use of AI chatbots for therapy purposes.

In several cases people have become very unwell because chatbots have exacerbated their symptoms of poor mental health. In some tragic cases, people have lost their lives. 

AI chatbots are computer programmes that have been designed to simulate human conversations through text or voice. Many chatbots, such as ChatGPT, have not been designed to support people experiencing distress or those living with mental illness,  and so they sometimes do not respond in an appropriate or safe manner. They have been reported to validate people’s perceptions when they experience psychosis, and encourage risky behaviours relating to suicide. Caution should be taken when using these types of chatbots for mental health support.

There are chatbots that have been designed for therapeutic purposes, which are subject to a higher standard of regulatory and governance oversight. We will continue to monitor news and evidence about these to understand how effective they are and who they are suitable for. 

We understand that lengthy waits for NHS mental health treatment and prohibitive costs for private therapy leave people unsure where to turn. However, if you need support with your mental health and you are not sure what to do, please seek support from your GP or established providers of mental health support who can advise you on the best course of action. 

To learn more about how to access treatment and support, please click here.