Can AI De-professionalize Therapy? The curious case of KAI the AI therapist

Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

Imagine spilling your teenage angst to a robot and actually feeling better!

That's not the opening line to a sci-fi novel but the reality for over 10,000 adolescents who chatted with an AI therapist named KAI.

Over six weeks, these young folks reported improvements in their psychological well-being, according to a recent study.

But could this new wave of AI therapy inadvertently de-professionalize the field of mental health?

The AI Therapist: Friend or Foe?

KAI, an artificial intelligence-powered conversational agent, was crafted by a team of clinical psychologists, coaches, and engineers.

It's designed to offer supportive dialogue and psychological exercises to improve well-being.

KAI proudly declares itself as "the AI companion that understands you but doesn’t replace the role of human relationships." This distinction is crucial, yet the lines will likely blur as more people turn to AI for mental health support.

Daily Dose of Positivity

Participants in the study received regular messages from KAI, which included inspirational quotes and short well-being exercises. These activities were designed to boost mental health through various approaches:

• Gratitude: Encouraging teens to reflect on things they are grateful for.

• Learning: Promoting reflection and learning from daily experiences.

• Breathing: Teaching users to practice deep, diaphragmatic breathing.

• Mindfulness: Helping teens observe and let go of intrusive thoughts.

• ACT Training: Incorporating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy principles to accept life’s difficulties and commit to personal values.

KAI was also programmed to detect signs of severe distress and refer individuals to human professionals when necessary.

A Teen Testimony: The KAI Chronicles

I wonder how Harlan Ellison would have written the following story.

Let’s meet Alex, a typical 16-year-old navigating the chaos of graduating high school in 2032. Alex felt overwhelmed by schoolwork, friend drama, and the occasional existential crisis about the future. When a friend recommended KAI, Alex was skeptical but decided to give it a try.

Within days, Alex found solace in KAI’s daily messages. An inspirational quote kickstarted the morning, and a simple gratitude exercise helped Alex focus on the positive. When Alex’s anxiety peaked because the National Service draft was re-instated, KAI guided Alex through calming breathing exercises.

Over six weeks, Alex’s stress levels dropped, and his overall well-being continued to improve. KAI soothed Alex through an earbud when he reported for National Service.

Alex did not experience a dip in mood during his two-year tenure as a forest quality specialist in the National Service. As with many AI-nurtured humans, he experienced ERED (Emotional Re-Entry Depression) when he formed his intentional family in 2047.

Let’s leave this brief Sci-fi interlude and get back to the research…

The Study Speaks: Results and Repercussions

The study, conducted by Dr. Dana Vertsberger and her team, involved adolescents aged 14-18 who interacted with KAI over an average of 45 days. Initially, these teens reported mild distress. By the end of the study, their well-being scores had significantly improved.

Dr. Vertsberger explains, "Adolescence is a developmental period filled with changes to one’s body, social environment, and mind. It's a crucial time for mental, social, and emotional well-being, with increased risks for mental health issues."

The researchers concluded that a text-based conversational AI could be a cost-effective and accessible tool to support adolescent well-being, especially in times when traditional support systems are strained, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The De-professionalization Debate

Despite the positive findings, there are concerns. The study lacked a control group, so it’s unclear whether improvements were solely due to KAI or other factors. Additionally, as AI therapy becomes more popular, there’s a risk it might overshadow the need for professional human therapists.

But imagine a future where AI therapy is the norm.

Could this lead to a de-professionalization of therapy, where human therapists are seen as less necessary? While AI like KAI can provide valuable support, it’s vital to remember that human therapists offer empathy, nuance, and understanding that machines cannot replicate. Or, at least, gulp… we hope so.

Conclusion: Balancing AI and Professional Therapy

AI companions like KAI will be powerful tools in improving mental health, especially for tech-savvy young people.

However, we must tread carefully to ensure that the rise of AI therapy complements rather than replaces professional mental health services. By striking the right balance, we can harness the benefits of AI without de-professionalizing the essential human aspect of therapy.

This was not a particularly well-designed study. But thought experiments like this one might help us prepare.

As Alex's story shows, a little robotic help can go a long way—but let's not fear the devaluing of a human touch in the journey to well-being. Let’s be fans of man!

Be Well, Stay, Kind, and Godspeed.

RESEARCH:

Vertsberger D, Naor N, Winsberg M Adolescents’ Well-being While Using a Mobile Artificial Intelligence–Powered Acceptance Commitment Therapy Tool: Evidence From a Longitudinal Study

JMIR AI 2022;1(1):e38171 URL: https://ai.jmir.org/2022/1/e38171

DOI: 10.2196/38171