Will robots replace therapists?

We’re already seeing AI make some advancements here. Take, for example, a new program called Woebot from Stanford researchers. Woebot is essentially a chatbot therapist. It uses a Facebook messenger to administer a very common form of therapy called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which, as Megan Molteni at Wired explains it, “asks people to recast their negative thoughts in a more objective light.” Once they see their negative thoughts, they can start to recognize patterns and triggers, and try to stop them. Woebot checks in with users daily by sending messages, asking simple questions along the lines of “How do you feel today?” or “What are you doing right now and what’s your general mood?” Because it’s a robot, it remembers a user’s responses and “gets to know” them as time passes. It recognizes changes in mood and can tailor suggestions, the same way a real therapist might.

The Woebot is supposed to help people overcome fears of being judged or stigmatized, letting them obtain mental health help in a format that’s both familiar to them and anonymous. People may not admit to friends that they’re struggling, but might readily confide in Woebot — especially because they know the app won’t judge them. Of course, Woebot isn’t a complete replacement for face-to-face therapy, but not everyone has the time (or the money) to see a real therapist. And research suggests this kind of thing can really work. One recent study shows Woebot could reduce anxiety and depression in users.