Particle Data Platform
Health Report

Can AI chatbots be good therapists?

2/27/202645 min

We know many people are turning to generative AI for health advice, including tips on how to manage stress, anxiety and low mood. 

When is it safe to turn to a chatbot, and when do you need to see a real human being? And what if you can't afford it?

Also, a home review program that aims to get people off drugs they don't need to be on that might be negatively impacting their lives. 

And good news when it comes to Australia's goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035. 

References:

Upt...

Clips

An Evidence Desert For AI
When Validation Turns Dangerous
Chatbot Gets OCD Treatment Wrong
Why Human Support Still Matters
Trials Can’t Keep Up With Models
Use Chatbots Safely, Or Not At All

Transcript preview

First 90 seconds

  1. Jill Newby· Guest0:00

    [gentle music] This is an ABC podcast.

  2. Mark Fennell· Soundbite0:04

    When the police raided the Stonewall Inn back in 1969, they had no idea that it would eventually lead to the birth of gay pride.

  3. Lauren0:12

    We started standing up for ourselves and said, "This is who we are and you're gonna accept us."

  4. Mark Fennell· Soundbite0:17

    I'm Mark Fennell, and I am the host of the ABC Radio National podcast No One Saw It Coming. Each week, we unravel a moment in history that changed the course of the world, but, well, no one saw it coming. To hear it, search for No One Saw It Coming on the ABC Listen app or wherever you get your podcasts.

  5. Norman Swan· Host0:34

    So, Priya, I caught you talking to a machine the other day. [laughs] You feeling okay?

  6. Priya Alexander· Host0:39

    I openly disclosed it to you, and I did it because a lot of people have written into us and said, "Priya, you need to try AI."

  7. Norman Swan· Host0:46

    So does this... Was this any AI? What did, what did you try?

  8. Priya Alexander· Host0:49

    So I used ChatGPT for the first time ever. I feel like I'm very late to the party. And I put in some little worries that I had and some potential scenarios, patient scenarios, and just saw what it might do in the therapy space.

  9. Norman Swan· Host1:05

    Well, I haven't done that. I wouldn't trust myself- Oh ... to do it, but maybe I should.

  10. Priya Alexander· Host1:10

    That was our homework, Norman.

  11. Norman Swan· Host1:11

    I know. I failed in my homework.

  12. Priya Alexander· Host1:13

    [laughs] You- I never used to do it at school.

  13. Norman Swan· Host1:15

    [laughs] And I don't do it now. I'm so sorry. But AI psychotherapy is a big part of today's health report.

  14. Priya Alexander· Host1:21

    I'm Priya Alexander on Wurundjeri land.

  15. Norman Swan· Host1:24

    I'm Norman Swan on Gadigal land.

  16. Priya Alexander· Host1:25

    [gentle music] Also on the show,

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