The integration of the Artificial intelligence (AI) in various areas of daily life now reaches the field of emotional health, generating a debate about its scope and limitations.
According to the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)the use of automated tools to treat conditions such as depression or anxiety does not have the capacity to replace the clinical judgment of a professional. According to specialists from the Faculty of Psychologythe therapeutic process is based on a human alliance that technology, due to its algorithmic nature, is incapable of genuinely replicating.
Do you have enough light in your workplace? How do you distribute the space? Photo: Getty Images via BBC
Read also: How to Protect Your Bed from Bed Bugs in Spring: Warning Signs and Effective Solutions
According to the World Health Organization (WHO)the implementation of digital technologies in mental health must be governed by principles of security and strict human supervision. The AI operates by processing large volumes of data to predict responses, but lacks the “phenomenological understanding” necessary to understand individual suffering.
In this regard, the international organization emphasizes that the risk of receiving diagnoses wrong or suggestions counterproductive It increases when the user interacts with systems that do not distinguish deep cultural or emotional nuances.
One of the main dangers identified by the highest educational institution lies in the lack of ethical responsibility of machines. According to the American Psychological Association (APA)a human therapist has the ability to intervene in acute crisis situations (such as self-harm tendencies), while an AI is usually limited to programmed responses that do not always detect the real urgency of the case.
“AI cannot replace your therapist,” states the official publication of the UNAMemphasizing that eye contact, tone of voice and active listening are components therapeutic that current language models only simulate.
Furthermore, the management of personal data privacy is a latent concern. According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)sensitive information shared with a “chatbot” often ends up on servers of private companies, which violates the professional secrecy inherent to psychological practice.
According to UNAM experts, confidentiality is the basis of success in any treatmentand the opacity about how algorithms use these confessions personnel represents a risk of security for the user seeking help in a moment of vulnerability.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), by 2030 depression will be the third cause of disability. Photo: Pixabay
Read also: Do chemicals in daily life alter our hormones? this is what UNAM says
Although there are applications that function as gratitude journals or meditation tools, the distinction between “digital wellness” and “clinical therapy” is critical. According to the International Science Council (ISC)AI should function only as an administrative support or monitoring tool under the guidance of an expert, but never as the primary agent of healing.
According to research published by the Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institutecurrent technology still presents algorithmic biases that can discriminate or misinterpret the needs of minority groups.
In conclusion, the position of the academy and from international organizations is clear: technology is a complement, not a definitive solution. In this regard, UNAM maintains that “mental health is a right that requires the warmth and ethical judgment of another human being.” The use of AI in this field requires strict regulation to ensure that digital efficiency does not overshadow patient safety, preserving the dignity and integrity of those facing emotional challenges in the age of automation.
You will also be interested in:
Salinas Pliego asks not to register a cell phone number in Mexico; suggests using foreign line
April planetary alignment: where can you see the astronomical spectacle?
Join our channel EL UNIVERSAL is now on Whatsapp! From your mobile device, find out the most relevant news of the day, opinion articles, entertainment, trends and more.
aov
