The Broad Impact of AI
According to the studies, artificial intelligence can have various impacts on our psychological state. AI can identify, imitate, induce, and heal our psychological state, regardless of the quality of that evidence.
In the fields of psychology and psychiatry, professionals are trying to develop diagnostic techniques for many psychological disorders using AI. They are also no exception from other medical fields trying to use AI to treat these disorders. In the field of medicine and also outside of it, AI is introduced sometimes as a substitute for the human intellectual capacities or as a representative of them.
AI and Understanding Emotions
Terms like “artificial affection” or “artificial emotion” are gaining growing attention in many fields of research. Some researchers try to use them to study mental disorders and their consequences, such as the act of attempting suicide. Whether these researchers try to build artificial models of the suicidal states to feed algorithms that are used to predict suicidal motives, or to study huge amounts real-life data from cases of real people who have committed or attempted suicide.
Other uses of artificial intelligence that deal with our cognitive background are in marketing or customer services. Some uses are predictive, i.e. directed at predicting or evaluating customer satisfaction, the other uses are promotive, aiming to enhance customer satisfaction.
AI in Everyday Life
You can use imagination to think of other uses that might be put in the hands of client to gain better product or service, instead of the uses that are in the hands of the vendor. Use your imagination to the utmost limits and don’t be surprised to find that AI is already there before you.
AI's Ethical Challenges
The ethical aspects of this discussion that are more worth exploring about artificial intelligence are the aspects where AI can inflict our psychological status. Social isolation and loneliness can be a byproduct of AI in two opposite directions. It can be the result of overusing it for the young generations or the result of being deprived of it for the older generation.
AI Anxiety and Social Media
"AI anxiety" is a new term for a genuine disorder that affects different groups of people based on age and education levels. The social media platforms are accused of using their algorithms to exploit the tendency of modern society to seek distraction and create dependence on their use. A recent systematic review examined the issue of "digital manipulation", which infringes on many of our basic rights. This is a topic that deserves a thorough discussion beyond this brief introduction.
The Promise of AI-Powered Support
AI is already shaping our mental health, whether we realize it or not. It's time for individuals, healthcare providers, governments, and tech companies to come together. We must establish ethical guidelines for the development and use of AI in mental health to ensure it becomes a force for good, not harm
Bibliography
5 - Ienca, M., 2023. On Artificial Intelligence and Manipulation. Topoi, 42(3), pp.833-842.
Author
Dr. Yasser Abdullah, a UK-educated ophthalmology specialist, excels in retina, glaucoma, and cataract surgery. As Clinical Informatics Lead and Safety Officer at an NHS Trust, he merges clinical expertise with technological innovation. His research in biomedical ethics, particularly on AI in medicine, is grounded in his Masters from the University of Edinburgh. Abdullah is an active contributor to international and UK-based academic and clinical projects, reflecting a commitment to advancing both ophthalmologic care and ethical medical practice
