Would you be willing to share your heart with a robot? What about a machine-learning diagnosis? Artificial intelligence in mental health is a fantastic development. Here’s what we know.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center Study revealed that machine-learning predicted whether or not a person would take their own life with an accuracy of 80%.
We are now in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. If it is managed responsibly, it can be wonderful.
Artificial intelligence is a growing field, with mental and emotional health being one of the top priorities.
The latest…
Background
Recently, “AI in Mental Health: Opportunity and Challenges In Developing Intelligible Digital Therapies,” by Bernard Marr appeared on Forbes.
Marr is an internationally renowned futurist, influencer and best-selling writer in the business and technology fields.
We will rely on his knowledge and hard work to help us get where we want to be.
Let’s roll…
Definitions
We need to start with some definitions.
Artificial intelligence
The field of science that deals with the development of computers and machines capable of reasoning, learning, and acting in a manner that would normally require human intelligence or data that is larger than what humans are able to analyze.
Algorithm
The use of a well-defined in-sequence computational technique to accept a value, or a set of values, as an input and produce the outputs needed to solve a particular problem.
Machine Learning
Artificial intelligence and computer science branch that uses data and algorithms to mimic the way humans learn and improve its accuracy.
Chatbot
A computer program designed to simulate human conversation in order to answer questions and solve problems. Modern chatbots are powered by artificial intelligence, machine learning and other technologies.
Applications of artificial intelligence in mental health
You’ve probably heard about the hype surrounding artificial intelligence (AI). Ever wondered if AI can help you with your mental and emotional health? Perhaps you have had visions similar to the featured image.
We’ll see if you can find some answers…
Artificial Intelligence Therapists
Chatbots have become more popular and offer advice, help with coping with symptoms, and act as a conduit for communication during treatment.
Catch this: they can pick out keywords in a conversation which can lead to a referral or direct contact with an emotional and mental health professional.
Marr provides Woebot for an example of a chatbot that is therapeutic. It adapts itself to the personality of the user. It can also guide the user through a number of exercises and therapies that are commonly used to treat a wide range of conditions.
Marr continues to mention Tess. It provides free emotional support 24/7 and on demand.
Wearables
Wearables are a great way to boost AI. Wearables don’t wait for the user to take action. They are worn and constantly interpret body signals. This means they can give you an alert if there is something that needs to be looked at.
Marr gives biobeat an example. The user’s mood, cognitive state, and physical activity are assessed by tracking sleep patterns, physical activities, and variations in heart rhythm and rate.
Data is compared to aggregated, anonymized data of other users in order to warn when an intervention might be required.
Diagnosing outcomes and predicting them
AI, more specifically machine learning can be used to analyze medical and behavioral data of a user, as well as voice recordings from phone calls made to intervention services to identify warning signs before problems progress.
Marr, for example, mentions an analysis of studies done by IBM and the University of California. The review concluded that machine learning, when used to parse data from various sources, could predict and categorize mental health issues – such as suicidal thought, depression, or schizophrenia – with a “high degree of accuracy.”