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Nine in ten psychologists sound the alarm over 'harmful' AI chatbot advice as patients' use for mental health jumps 49%

A generic image evoking despair, as a British Psychological Society survey found 87% of practitioners warned AI chatbots are providing inaccurate mental health information to vulnerable patients.
A generic image evoking despair, as a British Psychological Society survey found 87% of practitioners warned AI chatbots are providing inaccurate mental health information to vulnerable patients.

Dr Laura Dean, president of the British Psychological Society, warns that unregulated AI chatbots are providing "unqualified and harmful" advice to vulnerable people and that the risk "remains very real." A BPS survey drawn from 197 psychologists, counsellors and psychotherapists showed 76% reporting that AI is already damaging their clients' wellbeing, with 80% worried that patients are becoming dangerously reliant on the technology.

Seven in ten practitioners are somewhat or very concerned, and 87% warn AI is routinely feeding patients inaccurate information.

Clinical psychologist Julia Sheffield of Vanderbilt University Medical Centre says AI is 'reinforcing delusional thoughts and amplifying the delusional experience' in at-risk patients.

MoreThe IndependentExperts issue warning as more patients turn to AI chatbots for 'harmful' mental health adviceiNewsPsychologists sound alarm over chatbots 'harmful' mental health adviceThe IndependentPsychologists issue warning over ‘harmful’ mental health advice from AI chatbotswww.techtimes.co.ukAI Chatbots May Reinforce Delusions and Push Vulnerable Users Into Mental Health Crises, Psychologists Warn - www.techtimes.co.ukDoctors.net.ukPsychologists warn of risks as AI use for mental health rises 49% - Doctors.net.uk
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