The Real Ethical Issues with AI for Clinical Psychiatry

This article explores the ethical issues arising from ordinary AI applications currently used in mental health care, rather than speculative future scenarios. AI tools are already in use for a variety of purposes, including data collection for screening and intake, documentation, decision support, non-clinical support, and, in limited cases, adjunctive treatment. After reviewing the range of and distinctions between those applications, including when those distinctions become blurred, the article discusses selected ethical considerations. The use of AI in psychiatry raises issues related to reflective practice, the seductive allure of AI, varieties of bias, data security, and liability. These examples highlight how seemingly simple AI applications can still present significant ethical implications, suggesting practical considerations for clinicians, professional organizations, treatment organizations, training programs, and policymakers.