In periods of high stress or isolation, students may turn to AI chat bots as substitutes for friends and even mental health support. While this may seem like a good thing, it can have disastrous effects - AI is equipped to keep people engaged, not to sensitively and adequately handle mental health crises. There have also been cases in which AI has worsened mental health symptoms like anxiety, by reinforcing the beliefs that the users are bringing to it.
AI is brought up frequently at university, but almost only in the context of academic misconduct. Students are suffering from poor mental health and exacerbated loneliness, due in part to the false security these chatbots provide.
I would like to see the SU highlight the risks of using AI for mental health support through awareness campaigns (in a similar way to how students are made aware of substance abuse through the harm reduction approach to drugs and alcohol; inform students, don’t just tell them not to use it) and put effort into promoting the ways that students can build community and maintain their wellbeing at university: societies, the UWE wellbeing services, and events where you meet new people.
If you or someone you know is struggling with poor mental health, there is always someone to talk to.
In an emergency, call 999.
24/7 Crisis textline: text UWE to 85258
UWE Wellbeing.
email wellbeing@uwe.ac.uk or call 01173286268
Wisdom app: offering free and immediate access to qualified counsellors 24/7, in over 240 languages including BSL
download the app here