Evidence, ethics and the promise of artificial intelligence in psychiatry

Abstract

Researchers are studying how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to better detect, prognosticate and subgroup diseases. The idea that AI might advance medicine’s understanding of biological categories of psychiatric disorders, as well as provide better treatments, is appealing given the historical challenges with prediction, diagnosis and treatment in psychiatry. Given the power of AI to analyse vast amounts of information, some clinicians may feel obligated to align their clinical judgements with the outputs of the AI system. However, a potential epistemic privileging of AI in clinical judgements may lead to unintended consequences that could negatively affect patient treatment, well-being and rights. The implications are also relevant to precision medicine, digital twin technologies and predictive analytics generally. We propose that a commitment to epistemic humility can help promote judicious clinical decision-making at the interface of big data and AI in psychiatry.

Pioneering Changes in Psychiatry: Biomarkers, Psychedelics, and AI

“…AI could potentially facilitate data interpretation and clinical decisions, although privacy, algorithm bias, and transparency issues exist. Nonetheless, evidence supports their therapeutic potential in psychiatry …”

“…Furthermore, the use of AI in psychiatry is in its infancy. Many challenges remain, including data privacy, ethical considerations, and the need for more representative and high-quality data …”

“…Nonetheless, evidence supports their therapeutic potential in psychiatry. 17 MDMA-assisted psychotherapy shows promise for PTSD, psilocybin for major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment-resistant disorder (TRD) gaining FDA's "breakthrough therapy" designations. 18 Psilocybin can potentially treat depression and anxiety, especially in terminally ill patients.…”

“…Many challenges remain, including data privacy, ethical considerations, and the need for more representative and high-quality data. 17 Despite the progress in identifying biomarkers and the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, several research gaps and unmet needs persist. A pressing need is to understand the biological underpinnings of psychiatric disorders and the mechanisms of action of psychedelic substances.…”

ChatGPT in private practice: The opportunities and pitfalls of novel technology

“…These can include producing draft notes and reports in clinical scenarios, through to more complicated tasks such as providing chat-bot psychotherapy. Nevertheless, there are many risks which are taken when using the service, ranging from information inaccuracy, 3 breaching confidentiality 4 or providing inappropriate therapeutic advice 5 ; all which have the potential to harm patients.…”