Do generative AI chatbots increase psychosis risk?

A growing body of clinical trials and meta-analyses shows that generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots can reduce psychiatric symptoms, confirming their therapeutic potential. The vast majority of this research is case based, with low quality evidence. More clinically focused research has demonstrated reductions in anxiety and depression scores, but only against a waitlist control group. Yet, the rapid progress in AI, especially with the newest generation of large language models (LLMs), suggests that progress may be rapid and we should expect widespread use for mental health in the near future1. What this will mean for those with serious mental illness or at risk for psychosis remains unknown. There…