NEI Podcast E260 - How AI and Chatbots Are Shaping Mental Health Care with Dr. Steven Chan
Jul 30, 2025
Dr. Steven Chan, a clinical informaticist and psychiatrist at Stanford, discusses the revolutionary impact of AI on mental health care. He highlights innovative applications like therapeutic chatbots and improved documentation through AI tools. The conversation stresses the importance of human oversight in AI usage, ensuring ethical practices in therapy. Dr. Chan also addresses the potential risks and cultural considerations of integrating AI, while envisioning a future where technology advances mental health care access and effectiveness.
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Son's Early AI Advice
- Dr. Andrew Cutler first learned about AI from his son when he was 12 years old.
- This personal moment sparked his interest but he didn't fully grasp AI until now.
AI's Evolution Explained
- Artificial intelligence started with simple rule-based systems like medication interaction checkers.
- Modern AI mimics human decision-making using pattern recognition and language capabilities.
Current AI Uses in Psychiatry
- AI is already used for therapeutic chatbots, patient screening, and documentation in psychiatry.
- AI assists in administration and monitoring but some applications remain cutting-edge and developing.