JAMA Psychiatry Calls for Therapists to Screen Patients on AI Chatbot Use
A paper published in JAMA Psychiatry recommends that mental health providers routinely ask patients whether and how they use AI chatbots for emotional support and companionship, comparable to standard inquiries about sleep, diet, and substance use. The recommendation follows studies and surveys showing growing use of AI chatbots among teens and adults seeking mental health support. Authors of the paper state they are not characterizing AI use as inherently beneficial or harmful, but argue clinical awareness is necessary.
Progressive outlets may frame the recommendation as a necessary safeguard to ensure vulnerable populations, particularly teens, receive human-centered care and are not left reliant on unregulated AI systems for emotional support.
A peer-reviewed paper in JAMA Psychiatry documents rising AI chatbot use for emotional support and recommends therapists incorporate questions about this use into standard clinical assessments.
Conservative outlets may frame the recommendation as a pragmatic, non-alarmist step that acknowledges AI as a reality in patients' lives without pushing for heavy-handed regulation of personal technology choices.
A peer-reviewed paper in JAMA Psychiatry documents rising AI chatbot use for emotional support and recommends therapists incorporate questions about this use into standard clinical assessments.
JAMA Psychiatry published a paper recommending mental health providers ask patients about AI chatbot use as part of routine clinical intake.