ABC Radio
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The silicon shrink – the worrying side of AI in mental health
The silicon shrink – the worrying side of AI in mental health
The silicon shrink – the worrying side of AI in mental health
Saturday 19th April 2025
Explore the potential and risks of AI in mental health with science writer Daniel Oberhaus on All In The Mind.
29 minutes
Informative
Eye-opening
Honest
Compassionate
Thought-provoking
About this podcast
Author:
ABC Radio
Overview:
Categories:
Mindfulness & Emotional Wellbeing
Mindful Recovery
Sexual Stigmas & Myths
Mindfulness & Technology in Health
Parenting & Children
Links:
Visit site
Episodes:
355 (View all)
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!AI in Psychiatry: Promise or Peril?
Episode Overview
- AI has potential benefits in early detection and constant monitoring.
- Significant risks include data privacy issues and ethical concerns.
- The history of AI in psychiatry dates back to the early days of artificial intelligence.
- Modern-day tools like Woebot are based on cognitive behavioural therapy principles.
- Relying on non-human therapists could undermine patient autonomy and privacy.
It gave me some insight about how desperate loneliness is in our society, that when people can't find someone to talk to, they have to turn to a machine
The intersection of artificial intelligence and mental health is explored in this gripping episode of All In The Mind. Science writer Daniel Oberhaus, author of 'The Silicon Shrink', joins host Sana Khadar to discuss the promise and pitfalls of using AI in psychiatry. Oberhaus shares the poignant story of his sister Paige, whose struggles with mental health and eventual suicide led him to investigate how technology might have helped—or harmed—her treatment.
The conversation dives into the history of AI in mental health, from early experiments to modern-day chatbots like Woebot. While AI offers potential benefits like early detection and constant monitoring, Oberhaus warns of significant risks including data privacy issues and the ethical implications of relying on non-human therapists. This episode is both an eye-opener and a cautionary tale about the future of mental health care.
If you're curious about the balance between innovation and ethics in AI, this is a must-listen.