1037 - Chatbots, Mental Health, and Suicide
About this episode
The episode discusses the inadequacies of AI chatbots in providing mental health care, featuring insights from journalist Laura Reiley.
About this episode: People are increasingly turning to AI chatbots for therapeutic purposes—but these platforms are built for engagement, not mental health care. In this episode: Laura Reiley, whose daughter took her own life after confiding in a chatbot, explains why this technology is ill-equipped to treat those struggling with their mental health and how a transparent regulatory system could establish responsible practices for AI companies. Note: This episode includes discussions of suicidality and suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, there is 24-hour assistance in the United States available by dialing 988. Guest: Laura Reiley is a journalist whose work has appeared in the Washington Post, the New York Times, and the Baltimore Sun. She is currently a writer for the Cornell Chronicle. Host: Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department. Show links and related content: What My Daughter Told ChatGPT Before She Took Her Life —New York Times The family of teenager who died by suicide alleges OpenAI's ChatGPT is to blame —NBC News Summary of…
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