Psychiatry, Social Media, Artificial Intelligence: A Call for Engagement

Area of Science:

• Digital Psychiatry
• Clinical Informatics
• Mental Health Technology

Background:

• Rapid adoption of social media and AI chatbots has outpaced clinical guidelines.
• Alleged harms from social media and AI use are increasing, with litigation accelerating.
• Assessing AI risks and benefits is challenging due to evolving models and uncertain outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the need for clinician competency in AI.
• To present a framework for evaluating AI risks and benefits in clinical practice.
• To propose integrating AI use assessment into standard clinical documentation.

Main Methods:

• Review of current trends in AI adoption and associated risks.
• Development of a clinician competency framework for AI.
• Proposal of the biopsychosocial formulation for documenting AI use.

Main Results:

• Clinicians require education on AI fundamentals, patient usage, and risk evaluation.
• The biopsychosocial formulation can provide a nuanced assessment of AI's role in a patient's life.
• A structured approach is needed to manage AI integration in mental health.

Conclusions:

• A proactive framework is essential for clinicians navigating AI in mental health.
• Informed assessment of AI tools is critical for patient safety and effective care.
• This work inaugurates a new column focused on the intersection of technology and psychiatry.