Study finds four in 10 in UK would use AI counsellor

More than four in 10 adults in the UK would be happy to use artificial intelligence (AI) for their mental health support, new Dorset-led research suggests.

Bournemouth University surveyed about 31,000 adults in 35 countries about their use of AI large language models such as ChatGPT.

The findings also suggest that a quarter of UK adults would be happy to delegate the role of teaching their children to AI, and that 45% of people globally would trust AI models to take on the role of their doctor.

The mental health charity Mind last month launched a commission to examine the role of AI in mental health, recognising its potential but only if developed responsibly and with safeguards in place.

Bournemouth study lead Dr Ala Yankouskaya, the university's senior lecturer in psychology, said they wanted to learn about how people would trust the tools for important roles in their daily lives.

According to the survey, 41% of participants from the UK, and 61% globally, said that they would be happy to using AI for counselling services.

"If someone is experiencing depression, they do not want to wait months for an appointment, so instead they can turn to AI," Yankouskaya said.

But she added that she had tested some of the tools herself and had found "the language used very vague and confusing because the developers are careful not to jump into providing diagnoses".

"So, it is no substitute for speaking to a health professional."

Previous reports have shown the risks that come with AI chatbots use, as instances show the programs have sometimes been advising young people on suicide and sharing health misinformation.

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"It really knocked me down when I saw how many people would be willing to delegate AI to the role of teaching their children," Yankouskaya said.

"We still do not know the long-term effects that using these tools for education could have on children's memory and cognitive functions."

In addition, 45% of all respondents and 25% in the UK said that they would trust AI to carry out the role of their doctor, with the numbers being particularly higher in countries where healthcare is more expensive and harder to access.

The highest amount of trust participants were willing to place in AI came in the role of friendship, with over three quarters of people globally and over half of people in the UK said they would talk to ChatGPT as a companion.

Last month mental health charity Mind announced that the launch of its AI and Mental Health Commission, which covers the benefits and concerns around AI and mental health.

Charity chief executive Dr Sarah Hughes said they believed "AI has enormous potential to improve the lives of people with mental health problems".

"But that potential will only be realised if it is developed and deployed responsibly, with safeguards proportionate to the risks.

"We want to ensure that innovation does not come at the expense of people's wellbeing, and that those of us with lived experience of mental health problems are at the heart of shaping the future of digital support."

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