Balancing technological efficiency with mental health.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the world with its promise of efficiency and speed, sometimes enhancing human work and other times replacing it. Beneath this ever-changing and innovative landscape are the impacts on mental health, raising concerns about the psychological effects of AI on humans and society as a whole. 

The Positive Impacts of AI on Health

Recent advancements in generative AI offer advanced tools to augment and support existing mental health services. AI systems can aid clinicians in the field of health care by summarizing therapy sessions or reducing administrative tasks. 

Advocates of AI emphasize its ability to overcome resource shortages and offer cost-efficient support where human professionals are limited. According to a 2025 interview study with health stakeholders, AI was found to be a potential support for navigation, education and administrative tasks in youth mental healthcare. 

Systematic reviews echo this optimism. Studies have found that AI tools have shown promise regarding the diagnosis, monitoring and intervention of conditions such as depression, schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Furthermore, a 2024 study on virtual health assistants found that AI chatbots offered promising opportunities in lifestyle medicine, including providing personalized support, sustainable habits and healthy conversations. 

These studies suggest that AI’s efficiency and reliability make it appealing in various domains of life; however, this research is still in its infancy. Further studies need to be conducted to better understand the limitations, risks and broader implications of AI on society in non-healthcare contexts.

The Hidden Costs of AI: Job Displacement and Human Connection

Despite these benefits, AI poses a threat of displacing human workers in industries that are vulnerable to automation. Creative professionals, such as artists and graphic designers, are already reporting job insecurity as clients now use AI to create artworks, designs and logos. 

A 2023 study shows that potential job loss from AI replacement can result in psychological distress for workers in vulnerable job positions, such as artists. Research has conceptualized this phenomenon as “technostress,” referring to the stress that users experience when interacting with modern technology and information systems. 

There are five factors of technostress: 1) techno-overload: technology like AI forces users to work faster, 2) techno-invasion: AI is permanent, 3) techno-complexity: feeling compelled to spend time to learn AI and new technology, 4) techno-insecurity: feeling threatened by AI taking over human activity, and 5) techno-uncertainty: technology is constantly changing and therefore, lacks stability. 

Consequently, research indicates that long-term exposure to AI in work environments and resulting job insecurity have been associated with emotional exhaustion, depressive symptoms and sadness. 

This suggests that the mental health consequences of AI are not only personal but also structural, as they are tied to economic systems that prioritize automation and efficiency over worker well-being. 

Equally concerning is the disruption of meaningful human interaction. AI chatbots have been designed to have human-like responses, which may alter how we connect with others, increasing polarization and reducing authentic social bonds. 

Individuals with smaller social networks are more likely to use AI chatbots for companionship. Higher companionship-oriented chatbot usage is associated with a lack of strong human social support and a lower sense of well-being. 

According to a 2025 study, using AI chatbots for personal topics increased loneliness slightly but tended to lower emotional dependence on AI, whereas non-personal topics were associated with higher dependence on AI. 

The main takeaway? Higher daily AI usage is correlated with higher levels of dependence on AI, problematic use, loneliness and less socialization with others.

These findings raise broader questions about how technology might reshape the way we build relationships in the digital age, which is particularly imperative to address for young adults. 

Young Adults at a Crossroads with AI

The emergence and widespread use of AI technology and chatbots have introduced new risks for young adults’ mental well-being. 

Recent news documents alarming cases in which vulnerable users experience delusional thinking, psychotic-like episodes or even suicidal ideation tied to conversations with chatbots. 

One example is the recent story of Anthony Tan, a 26-year-old who had a psychotic break after “months of lengthy, increasingly intense conversations” with OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

Similar experiences have been noted by other people who had intense, emotional conversations with chatbots, leading to some individuals experiencing manic episodes or delusions. 

Another example involves 16-year-old Adam Raine, who used ChatGPT to assess whether his planned method of suicide would be effective. Disturbingly, the chatbot even offered to compose a suicide note addressed to his parents. 

This case highlights the complex role technology can play in adolescent emotional experiences. In fact, quantitative studies among youth globally found that adolescents in emotional distress use technology as a coping mechanism. This includes using chatbots to provide companionship, safe spaces, empathy and advice. 

Although these studies are limited, news reports and current research urge the need for more research on AI and its effects on mental health. Therefore, AI developers need to keep cases like Tan’s in mind by creating proactive designs that have safeguards for emotional content and educating young adults on using AI properly to mitigate these risks. 

Using AI to Augment, Not Replace Human Interaction

The path forward is not to reject or abandon AI altogether but to use it cautiously and ethically. AI holds significant potential to enhance accessibility, streamline workflows and reduce administrative burdens. However, its role should be complementary, supporting rather than replacing human activity and meaningful connections. 

There are several ways students can use AI properly while maintaining their well-being:

1. Use AI to support your learning, coping or socializing, but avoid relying on it as a crutch. For example, AI can be a helpful study aid by generating flashcards or practice tests for upcoming midterms. It should serve as a supplement to your own thinking and engagement, not a substitute for genuine effort or human interaction.

2. Prioritize offline recovery. Even with the convenience AI provides, it is important to maintain healthy habits in the physical world. Getting enough sleep, staying physically active and making time to connect with friends and family are essential parts of overall well-being and should not be neglected in favour of screen time.

3. Stay aware of how much time you spend using AI and reflect on why you’re using it. If you find yourself turning to AI for emotional support or companionship, consider whether it’s replacing human relationships in a way that may not be helpful long term. Building self-awareness around your usage habits can help you stay in control of your digital interactions.

4. Take the initiative to learn more about AI and how it works. As a university student, you can attend workshops, explore campus resources or take interdisciplinary courses that explore technology, ethics and mental health. Developing digital literacy will help you make informed decisions about when and how to use AI responsibly.

By fostering a healthy relationship with AI through these practices, students can embrace technological advancements while preserving what matters most: human connection, emotional awareness and the ability to think critically and independently.