The Implications Of Artificial Intelligence And Mental Wellbeing

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are not just trends; they have become increasingly prevalent as technology evolves. However, the immense promise of AI has resulted in a negative impact on human life, with individuals losing their jobs or titles due to artificial intelligence replacement. Understanding how AI can help or harm human life may offer a glimpse into the mental health implications of this modern tool. If you’ve been negatively impacted by AI or are experiencing emotional distress, consider working with a therapist in person or online.

What is artificial intelligence? 

Artificial intelligence generally refers to human-created intelligent machines, computers, and codes designed to mimic human thinking, creativity, and intelligence. Artificial intelligence can be used in multiple areas and has the capability to complete multiple tasks, including but not limited to the following: 

• Writing

• Offering chat advice

• Driving cars

• Automating complex mathematical equations and responses

• Creating photos or videos that don’t exist based on existing ones

• Changing the appearance of one’s face or body in a video or photo

• Offering customer service for businesses

• Predicting trends in business and the stock market

• Auditing information

• Finding threats in online systems

• Automating billing services

• Identifying individuals

As of 2023, over half of business owners use AI for cybersecurity, fraud management, and customer service purposes, with nearly half of business owners using artificial intelligence in other ways. This may showcase how AI has replaced human jobs, even if it has created several new positions. 

AI advancements and their potential impacts on mental health

Understanding the advancements in artificial intelligence may help individuals learn more about mental health. AI can affect humanity, although its initial purpose has generally been to ease the burden of labor and cognition on humans. As more corporations and businesses take hold of this tool, artificial intelligence is often developed to make more money. Below are a few potential mental health impacts of different types of AI and the research behind them. 

Artificial intelligence video and photo filters

Artificial intelligence has frequently been used to create filters that change a person’s facial or bodily structure onscreen. Some filters are made for fun and might include new makeup, clothes, or items that aren’t present in the real world. Other filters may be designed to change a person’s features entirely, giving them a thinner nose, larger lips, or a new eye color. Some filters may change a person’s weight on camera. Many people use this artificial intelligence on social media platforms like Instagram.

AI filters that can change your appearance typically use machine learning called generative adversarial networks (GAN). In general, these forms of artificial intelligence completely regenerate each byte in the photo or video, giving you a new face or body. For this reason, this type of filter may be perceived as more realistic than others. 
Artificial intelligence filters can worsen existing mental health conditions or contribute to the development of mental health issues. Studies show that body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) tends to be more common in those who use AI filters to change their appearance. In addition, these filters can emphasize stereotypes about which body types, facial features, or colors are deemed “more attractive” by popular society. 

A person may be able to lighten their skin tone, thin their face, and reduce the size of their body by using an app filter. When many people use filters to represent themselves, diversity may not be shown in popular media, and there may be no representation for young, impressionable children and adults with mental health challenges. For this reason, widespread filter use may come with a risk of eating disorders and other mental illnesses.

Artificial intelligence and jobs

Companies are often focused on automating processes so more money can be made by those in power. Although automation can take some labor load off employees, it can also lead to management laying off employees deemed nonessential. These individuals may have degrees in their fields and years of experience with a company. However, due to the race to be faster, make more money, and be noticed by clients, companies may discard these employees, leaving them unemployed.

As employees are laid off at significant rates, people may struggle to find replacement jobs. In 2023, over 260,000 workers were laid off in the tech industry alone, showcasing a trend of companies replacing workers in the same field that invented AI. Large companies like Microsoft have laid off thousands of employees, investing in new AI inventions to streamline their processes. 

Being laid off or fired from a job due to artificial intelligence can have significant mental health impacts, especially if it leads to homelessness, financial insecurity, or job insecurity in the future. Some studies have also found that employees who have not been laid off can be impacted by seeing coworkers lose their jobs, which may lead them to fear the security of their own positions. A few potential mental health impacts of layoffs include the following: 

• Weight changes

• Sleep disturbances

• A loss of self-esteem

• Difficulty coping with stress

• Depression and anxiety

• Shock and disbelief

• Thoughts of hopelessness or worthlessness

• Fatigue

• Shame and embarrassment

• Sadness

• Thoughts of suicide

One concern may be that artificial intelligence could replace most jobs, leaving many people without employment. Without jobs, people generally cannot purchase products and services, including mental health care services. 

Artificial intelligence and therapy services

With the development of generative AI and VR technology, professionals have been looking into using AI and digital technology for therapy, mental health apps, and other mental health services. 

However, studies show that using AI in the place of a clinical psychologist may dehumanize health care and patient outcomes, potentially taking away the power of the therapist-patient relationship. 

Part of the success of therapy is often the secure bond formed between client and therapist. In addition, some clients may come to therapy to cope with not having social support or struggling with being alone. In general, AI cannot replace empathy and other human experiences, although it can replicate it. 

For this reason, AI may harm the mental health of clients who use it for therapy. AI may also fail to offer effective services for a mental health crisis, as people in crisis often require quick action, human empathy, and compassion. 

Artificial intelligence in writing, art, and education 

Large language models (LLMs) are a type of AI that has primarily been developed to write, create, and educate in the place of human creators. However, some controversy has arisen based on this function, as the art, writing, and educational material the AI studies are typically created by humans who have not consented to having their work analyzed or stolen.

Some may argue that AI work is not stolen because it uses so many examples that the resulting work is not the property of any one person. However, some AI prompts can lead to a sample of only a few pieces of work or information created by one or a few individuals. 

Artists, writers, and teachers often have some of the lowest salaries in the country. As AI replaces these workers, they may be left without jobs they’re passionate about, which can contribute to depression and other mental health disorders. In addition, people who create art typically do so from their own minds and the creativity and life experiences they possess. AI can mimic what already exists, but it may not be able to create entirely new or unique ideas the way a human can. 

Social impacts of AI on mental health

AI can have many impacts on mental health. One primary example may be social distancing. As companies automate processes or send more employees to work remotely, people are generally not interacting with others as much as they used to. 

In addition, clients who pay for services may find themselves interacting with an automated system instead of someone who truly cares about their experience. If the services they pay for are related to hospitality, health care, or mental health support, the critical elements of human connection, empathy, humor, and common experiences may be lost. 

Humans tend to be social creatures and normally require social interaction to function and remain healthy. Although artificial intelligence chats may somewhat alleviate loneliness, the people using the chat typically know the AI is not a person, and it cannot physically support them. 

Another point to consider may be that artificial intelligence apps cannot feel love for a human. Researcher Pok Man Tang, Ph.D., studied AI and employee wellbeing and found that most employees who worked a significant number of hours with AI technology tended to be lonelier and frequently reported insomnia. The employees were also usually more likely to help other employees, but researchers believed this effect was likely due to loneliness and the need for social contact.

Does AI improve mental health in any way? 

AI may not be entirely negative, and some people may swear by its use. However, it can be essential to know that the positive impacts of artificial intelligence generally cannot replace the negative ones. Below are some potential ways AI can improve mental health: 

• Chatbots can give people a form of communication that is available 24/7.

• AI may eliminate waitlists by filtering clients by level of severity.

• AI may identify individuals at risk of mental illness.

• AI can help mental health professionals automate billing and other procedures without losing their jobs.

• AI can take the load off some professionals so they can focus on invention and innovation.

• AI may save money for small businesses.

• AI may save clients money.

• AI can learn to read nonverbal cues to help humans understand each other.

How to cope with the growing artificial intelligence industry 

If you are a worker, client, or individual impacted by the introduction of artificial intelligence into many major systems, you’re not alone. Below are a few ways you can cope with these changes productively:

• Remind companies of what you can offer that AI can’t.

• Ask companies you apply to work at about their stances on AI and mass layoffs.

• Protest layoffs and worker maltreatment and support company strikes.

• Practice self-care at home.

• Consider starting your own business and not using AI.

• Talk to a human professional about your thoughts and feelings.

• Journal about your thoughts on AI.

• Stop supporting companies that showcase a disregard for employees.

• Commission work from artists, writers, and creators instead of buying an AI-generated product.

• Review human creators positively and discuss them with people you know.

• Don’t take part in trends using AI filters.

• Advocate for showing real bodies and faces online.

• Advocate for the importance of diversity.

• Talk about how AI is biased and can perpetuate racism and other biases.
  
  

Professional mental health treatment

If you’re experiencing the mental health impacts of AI, such as being laid off, losing your income, or facing body dysmorphia, you’re not alone. New technology in digital therapeutics offers ways to receive support online or through mobile apps without talking to computerized intelligence. For example, online therapy platforms like BetterHelp can pair clients with real human therapists who can offer real-time support over the phone, via video calls, or through live chat sessions. For those who live in rural areas, online therapy nearly eliminates geographical barriers to mental health care.

Benefits of wellness apps

Digital mental health care can be a positive alternative to artificial intelligence because it generally empowers clients to stay in an environment they’re comfortable in while still receiving professional support. For those with mental or physical health conditions that make it difficult to leave home, this can be an invaluable benefit.

Effectiveness of online therapy

Studies show that online therapy — be it cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, or another type of therapy — can be as effective as traditional in-person therapy for mental health management. For example, a 2022 meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials revealed that there was generally no difference between client outcomes from in-person and online therapy.

This effectiveness may partially explain why, despite data seclusion concerns, the global mental health apps market is expected to display a remarkable compound annual growth rate of 16.9% during a forecast period spanning from 2023 to 2032.