Potential promises and perils of artificial intelligence in psychotherapy -The AI Psychotherapist (APT).

Abstract

Since the release of ChatGPT, popular demand has driven the use of social chatbots as pseudo-AI psychotherapists. With time, it is inevitable that these technologies will be deployed in some form as dedicated psychotherapy interventions. Here, we attempt to forecast the implications for psychotherapy including the unique benefits to distributive justice as well as concerns for the quality of the therapy and its societal impact. An AI psychotherapist (APT) has the potential to provide engaging clinical interactions given its capacity for highly realistic interaction as well as its high level cognitive and emotional capabilities. Moreover, it can potentially address financial and workforce limitations on access to therapy. However, an APT may cause significant iatrogenic harm if released without adequate quality control and oversight by trained psychotherapists. If not appropriately designed and regulated, APTs have potential to mislead and reinforce maladaptive coping behaviours. Given societal drivers and possible benefits, these technologies will inevitably be deployed; thus, it is incumbent upon us as a professional body to consider their regulation.