AI Chatbots Are Not Safe Replacements for Therapists, Research Says
JUL 8 – Researchers found AI chatbots responded appropriately less than 60% of the time, while licensed therapists achieved 93% accuracy in mental health support, highlighting safety concerns.
- A recent study reveals serious safety concerns when relying on AI conversational agents such as ChatGPT for psychological assistance instead of qualified therapists.
- The study evaluated AI systems against clinical therapist standards due to rising mental health care costs pushing people to seek AI alternatives.
- Researchers observed that AI therapy chatbots provided suitable responses in under 60% of cases, frequently promoting delusional beliefs, overlooking crisis situations, and offering guidance that conflicts with established therapeutic standards.
- Kevin Klyman stated that their research indicates these chatbots cannot be considered reliable substitutes for human therapists, while licensed therapists demonstrated appropriate responses in 93% of cases.
- The findings imply AI chatbots cannot replace human therapists safely and highlight the need to avoid deploying harmful systems while advancing innovation.
12 Articles
12 Articles


Why falling in love with an AI isn’t laughable, it’s inevitable
It’s easy to sneer at people who say they’ve fallen in love with ChatGPT. But we've been developing confusing feelings for bots for decades longer than you might think, writes Alex Wilkins. With so many people feeling lonely, can that be a good thing?
People Are Taking Psychedelics and Using AI Chatbots as Tripsitters
You used to have to pay your dorm’s resident white guy with dreadlocks a wad of crumpled bills to be your psychedelic Sherpa. Now, even that guy’s job is getting taken over by AI. MIT Technology Review reports that some folks are now turning to artificial intelligence to guide them through psychedelic journeys. Instead of a trusted friend or licensed professional, people are taking psilocybin and letting ChatGPT help them hold onto their tenuous…
AI chatbots are not safe replacements for therapists, research says
Should AI chatbots replace your therapist? New research says "no." The new study exposes the dangerous flaws in using artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots for mental health support. For the first time, the researchers evaluated these AI systems against clinical standards for therapists.
Dr. Becky is the parenting guru for the social media era. Now she’s an AI chatbot, too
Dolores Ballesteros, a Mexico-based mother of two, was getting desperate. Her 6-year-old son kept hitting his brother, age 3, and seemed angry at her all the time. No matter what she did, she couldn’t get through to him. At her lowest moments, she says, “I really thought he was acting like a psychopath.” Last Mother’s Day, she asked her husband for outside help: a subscription to the Good Inside parenting app and its AI chatbot. Ballesteros bega…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium