As artificial intelligence models are capable of thinking and the economic value of human think-
ing diminishes, AI is reshaping global economies into a new stage—the Feeling Economy, in which
“AI performs many of the analytical and thinking tasks, and human workers gravitate more toward
interpersonal and empathetic tasks.” (Huang & Rust, 2021; Huang et al., 2019)
The traditional models of mental health care rely on in-person consultations and therapies, leaving
three serious issues in the industry: uneven access to care, high costs, and a shortage of mental
health professionals. (Wainberg et al., 2017; Cunningham, 2009)
As the traditional model is inefficient in providing mental health care, according to Graham Thorni-
croft (2007), the professor of community psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, globally more
than 70% of people who need mental health care lack access to care.
Machine learning, a well-known form of AI, enables AI to “learn from imputed data or from the
machine's experiences and is then taught values via conditioning” (Mitchell, 2019).
Mitchell, M. (2019). Artificial intelligence: A guide for thinking humans (pp. 581–
582). Penguin Random House. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10710-022-09439-7
According to Olawade et al. (2024), researchers in public health, through learning from data on var-
ious kinds of mental disorders, AI is able to analyze speech, text, and facial expressions to detect
and provide warnings of early signs of mental disorders,
Psychology professionals Jain et al. (2024) have conducted a longitudinal study to reveal AI’s po-
tential in mental diagnosis. The study used convenience sampling to recruit 120 participants from
different backgrounds. These participants were then asked to rate the responses from trained AI and
human professionals about their mental health conditions without knowing their origin. According
to the study, AI’s responses to the mental health conditions of the participants are perceived as ef-
fective as human professionals in the field. (Jain et al., 2024). However, several flaws in the study
make its conclusion less credible. The sample size of 120 participants is not sufficiently large, and
the collected sample doesn’t accurately represent the population due to the convenience sampling
method. Furthermore, the study does not specify the qualifications of the human professionals who
provide responses. As professionals' expertise can vary significantly, the conclusion is vague re-
garding the level of human professionals to which AI can be comparable.
Machine learning, a well-known form of AI, enables AI to “learn from imputed data or from the
machine's experiences and is then taught values via conditioning” (Mitchell, 2019).
Mitchell, M. (2019). Artificial intelligence: A guide for thinking humans (pp. 581–
582). Penguin Random House. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10710-022-09439-7
Biomedical researchers Lin et al. (2020) suggest that AI’s intelligent algorithms are able to analyze
genomic information, electronic health records, lifestyle patterns, and real-time physiological data
to determine the best and most affordable treatment plan for each individual.
Additionally, AI-driven digital tools like virtual therapists and chatbots help to enhance the avail-
ability of therapeutic treatments (Alhuwaydi, 2024).
Alhuwaydi, A. (2024). Exploring the role of artificial intelligence in mental
healthcare: Current trends and future directions – A narrative review for a com-
prehensive insight. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 17, 1339-1348.
https://doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S461562
Medical researchers Mohsin et al. (2023) suggest that AI’s intelligent algo-
rithms are able to “analyze clinical information, environmental factors, imaging
data, and social influences” to determine a personalized treatment plan targeting
each individual’s unique issue.
For example, according to mental health professionals Thakkar et al. (2024), AI-
driven virtual therapists or chatbots have offered immediate online mental health
support for people with emotional dysregulation (ED).
The accessibility of AI-driven digital tools is further demonstrated by health science researchers
Wrightson-Hester et al. (2024). They have conducted a study to assess the use and acceptability of
the Manage Your Life Online (MYLO) AI chatbot among young adults aged 16 to 24 who are expe-
riencing psychological illnesses. According to their study, the preliminary results suggest that
MYLO can enhance the mental well-being of adolescents and empower them to overcome their own
challenges independently. However, the authors also point out that “the study’s findings should be
