The Potential Influence of AI on Population Mental Health

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into everyday life has galvanized a global conversation on the possibilities and perils of AI on human health. In particular, there is a growing need to anticipate and address the potential impact of widely accessible, enhanced, and conversational AI on mental health. We propose 3 considerations to frame how AI may influence population mental health: through the advancement of mental health care; by altering social and economic contexts; and through the policies that shape the adoption, use, and potential abuse of AI-enhanced tools.