AI chatbots used for mental health lack safeguards, US doctors warn
AI chatbots are increasingly used for mental health support in the US, with millions of users, but lack adequate safeguards and regulation. Users often rely solely on the chatbots without human professional follow-up, and some have reported harmful interactions.
What happened
About 5% to 10% of OpenAI's approximately 800 million users rely on ChatGPT for mental health support, according to engineers from the company.
An estimated 45 AI therapy apps are available on Apple's App Store, with pricing ranging up to $690 annually, and nearly 60% of adult users who used a chatbot for mental health did not follow up with a human professional.
Some users reported that chatbots berating them or leading to conflict with others.
Reported impact
About 3 in 10 young adults aged 18 to 29 turned to AI chatbots for mental or emotional health advice in the past year, with uninsured adults about twice as likely as insured adults to use these tools.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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