Artificial intelligence is mental: Evaluating the role of large-language models in supporting mental health and well-being

Abstract

As artificial intelligence-powered chatbots and large-language models become increasingly integrated into mental health support, they raise complex ethical, economic, and structural challenges—particularly related to dimensions of interaction, labor, and regulation. This commentary explores how users engage with artificial intelligence-driven chatbots for emotional well-being, the economic and professional implications for mental health providers, and the evolving regulatory challenges of artificial intelligence therapy. While chatbots offer the potential benefits of accessibility and personalized responses that resemble human conversation, it is crucial to question the limitations of their reliance on predictive modeling as it relates to their capacity for deep empathy and nuanced care. The growing adoption of artificial intelligence in mental health support threatens to reshape therapeutic labor by disrupting traditional therapy models while simultaneously reinforcing economic precarity among practitioners, and the absence of clear regulatory frameworks raises concerns about accountability, data privacy, and ethical use(s) of artificial intelligence-driven mental health tools. By analyzing these dimensions, this paper highlights the affordances and limits of artificial intelligence in mental health care and advocates for a critical approach to its development and governance.