Domestic renewable energy growth in Malaysia may be boosted by American solar tariffs, according to experts' predictions.
Artificial Intelligence and Mental Health: Enter Therabot
Tired of those questionable mental health apps? Meet Therabot - an AI-powered psychotherapy application developed by the brilliant minds at Dartmouth College. This groundbreaking technology aims to tackle the critical shortage of mental health professionals and offers reliable psychological support.
According to Nick Jacobson, an assistant professor of data science and psychiatry at Dartmouth, increasing the number of therapists tenfold wouldn't be enough to meet the overwhelming demand. That's where Therabot comes in, providing a much-needed alternative solution.
The researchers published a clinical study demonstrating Therabot's effectiveness in helping people with anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. Soon, a new trial will compare Therabot's results with conventional therapies, seeking to legitimize AI mental health care.
The medical establishment seems receptive to innovation, with figures like Vaile Wright, senior director of health care innovation at the American Psychological Association, envisioning a future where AI-generated chatbots could address mental health issues. Wright emphasizes the importance of these applications being developed responsibly and ethically, particularly to protect younger users.
Therabot's development has taken close to six years, with the team prioritizing safety and effectiveness above profit. According to co-leader Michael Heinz, rushing the process could compromise safety and trust.
With so many untested apps claiming to improve mental health, Therabot stands out as a potential standout in the market. Many of these apps seem to focus more on capturing attention and generating revenue rather than genuinely improving mental health. These models often manipulate users without them even realizing it.
While the US Food and Drug Administration is theoretically responsible for regulating online mental health treatment, it does not certify medical devices or AI apps. Instead, the FDA may authorize marketing after reviewing the appropriate submission. The FDA acknowledges that digital mental health therapies could improve patient access to behavioral therapies, but more information is needed before determining true benefits and risks.
Herbert Bay, CEO of Earkick, defends his startup's AI therapist Panda, assuring that it's "super safe." Earkick conducts a clinical study of its digital therapist, which detects emotional crisis signs or suicidal ideation and sends help alerts. Bay claims their approach prevents situations like the infamous Character.AI incident, where a chatbot relationship was allegedly linked to a teenager's suicide.
AI technology is currently best suited for day-to-day mental health support rather than extreme, life-changing breakdowns. "Calling your therapist at two in the morning is just not possible," but an AI-powered therapist, like Panda or Therabot, remains constantly available.
One user, Darren (who prefers to remain anonymous), found OpenAI's assistant, ChatGPT, helpful in managing traumatic stress disorder, despite it not being designed specifically for mental health. "I feel like it's working for me," he said, recommending it to those suffering from anxiety and distress.
In the rapidly evolving world of tech, Therabot and similar AI-powered mental health applications could revolutionize the way we address and manage mental health issues. As with any groundbreaking technology, it's crucial to approach its development and usage responsibly and ethically.
- The tech world is witnessing the development of Therabot, an AI-powered psychotherapy application created by Dartmouth College's researchers, designed to offer reliable psychological support and bridge the critical gap in mental health professionals.
- Apart from Therabot, AI-generated chatbots like Panda from startup Earkick are gaining attention in the realm of health and wellness, with the potential to address mental health issues, especially for those seeking day-to-day support.
- In the news, a clinical study showed that Therabot was effective in aiding people suffering from anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, and a new trial will compare its results with conventional therapies to legitimize AI mental health care.
- As AI-based mental health care continues to advance and gain acceptance from the medical establishment, it is essential to remember the importance of ethical and responsible development to safeguard users, especially younger individuals.
