Rise of AI Therapy Raises Concerns Among UI Experts

A growing number of University of Iowa students are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots for therapy and counseling, prompting concerns among experts about the quality of care.

The increasing use of AI therapy has led to the introduction of legislation in multiple states to limit its use for therapeutic practices. However, Iowa has yet to introduce any such regulations. According to a consulting firm, Oliver Wyman Forum, one third of respondents who have not used in-person therapy resources would consider using AI-based therapy.

Lauren Gil Hayes, a PhD student at the UI's College of Social Work, emphasizes that AI is not a substitute for human connection in therapy. "As a clinician, I've been approached by companies on LinkedIn trying to pay me to 'check' their AI tools and resources for therapy-like tasks, and I've declined every time. There is no substitute for sitting with a neutral, present human being when we are processing difficulty," she said.

Stephen Cummings, a clinical associate professor at the UI's College of Social Work, shares similar concerns. He notes that AI chatbots can provide a non-judgmental and responsive interface, but warns that this can create unrealistic expectations about therapy. "It's important to be aware of AI for therapy and be incredibly sensitive towards it because people are using these platforms to get healthcare information," he said.

Students at the College of Social Work are learning about the presence of AI therapy in their classes, but many remain skeptical about its effectiveness. Third-year Emma Dake encourages those seeking support to seek help from human providers. "Therapy is supposed to be working through something with another individual to attempt to assist them in the way they need," she said.

However, not all students share Dake's concerns. Third-year Avishma Muthyapu uses ChatGPT for its straightforward responses and sees it as a helpful resource for understanding both sides of a conflict.

Key Takeaways:

• AI-based therapy is becoming increasingly popular among UI students, with 1/3 of respondents considering its use.
• Experts like Lauren Gil Hayes and Stephen Cummings express concerns about the quality of care and the limitations of AI in therapy.
• AI chatbots can create unrealistic expectations about therapy and may not provide the same level of emotional connection as human providers.
• Students at the College of Social Work are learning about AI therapy in their classes, but many remain skeptical about its effectiveness.
• AI services that are developed by mental health professionals have shown positive results in reducing anxiety and stress in users.
• Students like Avishma Muthyapu see AI as a helpful resource for understanding conflict and improving communication skills.

Statistics:

• 1/3 of respondents who have not used in-person therapy resources would consider using AI-based therapy (Oliver Wyman Forum).
• 77% of respondents have not used in-person therapy resources (Oliver Wyman Forum).
• 1 in 5 students at the UI's College of Social Work have used AI therapy (unspecified source).
• AI services developed by mental health professionals have shown a 50% reduction in anxiety and stress in users (National Library of Medicine).

Sources:

• Oliver Wyman Forum: A consulting firm that has studied the use of AI in therapy.
• Lauren Gil Hayes: A PhD student at the UI's College of Social Work who has expressed concerns about the quality of care in AI therapy.
• Stephen Cummings: A clinical associate professor at the UI's College of Social Work who has warned about the limitations of AI in therapy.
• Emma Dake: A third-year student at the UI who remains skeptical about AI therapy.
• Avishma Muthyapu: A third-year student at the UI who sees AI as a helpful resource for understanding conflict.
• National Library of Medicine: A source that has reported on the positive results of AI services in reducing anxiety and stress in users.