The contagion of AI is rapidly growing by leaps and bounds. The projections of AI technology growth are compelling, with estimates in the billions of dollars in the near future. Even though some of the AI users are showing results less than their investments anticipated, the march is on for rapid growth in its usage.
It is already glaringly apparent that individuals will use AI for more personal functions, many of which are very helpful. People who use it for health, exercise and monitoring have found it invaluable. Students are using it for research but also for actual writing of their assignments, so much that teachers have to monitor how much is the student’s writings and how much of it is automated. There are also significant discussions about how AI will replace many jobs that are repetitive in nature or easily automated.
There are also some applications that help with brain regulation and some therapeutic exercises. I know some are using it for relational issues. I’ve even heard of a spouse being angry that their spouse was having a relationship with AI that was more communicative than with her. It is really getting interesting to see how AI is moving forward with such momentum even at a relational level.
One of the concerns is in the realm of mental health. So much of our work in mental health requires an intimate knowledge of our client. There are so many issues that surface in a therapeutic relationship that is very specific to that individual. There is a level of personal knowledge, understanding and long-standing trust that is essential to a positive therapeutic outcome.
As AI draws on its many resources, it depends on key words and common research. In a mental health situation, if that research is not relevant to a person’s specific needs or if the research is not reliable, the direction or advice given may not be the best for that individual. In fact, I have heard of cases where people received information that was not correct or helpful to their need. It takes on a liability of being a mock therapist when it does not have the qualifications of a typical therapist who has been seasoned to provide mental health support.
As Lakeside contemplates its future in mental health training, we are committed to our own therapeutic educational AI. That means that we will choose not to include general AI from any source but to create our own that is based on our research, development and curriculum that has been vetted and tested as we have trained thousands of professionals in our field.
It is our hope that our own AI will provide professionals, individuals and families with a mental health training AI that will provide current, relevant and helpful information. In so doing, there can be an AI in our own Metaverse that will actually become a reliable resource and use of this incredible technology that will promote health and well-being to all those we train.
Gerry Vassar
President/CEO
