Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in psychiatry and mental health care: a systematic review

Tools based on generative artificial intelligence (AI) such as ChatGPT have the potential to transform modern society, including the field of medicine. Due to the prominent role of language in psychiatry, e.g., for diagnostic assessment and psychotherapy, these tools may be particularly useful within this medical field. Therefore, the aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on generative AI applications in psychiatry and mental health.

We conducted a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The search was conducted across three databases, and the resulting articles were screened independently by two researchers. The content, themes, and findings of the articles were qualitatively assessed.

The search and screening process resulted in the inclusion of 40 studies. The median year of publication was 2023. The themes covered in the articles were mainly mental health and well-being in general - with less emphasis on specific mental disorders (substance use disorder being the most prevalent). The majority of studies were conducted as prompt experiments, with the remaining studies comprising surveys, pilot studies, and case reports. Most studies focused on models that generate language, ChatGPT in particular.

Generative AI in psychiatry and mental health is a nascent but quickly expanding field. The literature mainly focuses on applications of ChatGPT, and finds that generative AI performs well, but notes that it is limited by significant safety and ethical concerns. Future research should strive to enhance transparency of methods, use experimental designs, ensure clinical relevance, and involve users/patients in the design phase.