Chatbots and Mental Health

Heidi Kar and Simon Richmond, along with EDC’s Mental Health for All program, discuss the potential harms and benefits of students forming “friendships” with AI chatbots. While Kar warns these relationships can be unhealthy, she and Richmond see opportunities for AI to provide a safe space for students to learn about mental health and improve their real-world relationships—if designed thoughtfully.

AI Chatbot Friendships: Potential Harms and Benefits For Students