Benefits, Implications and Ethical Concerns of Machine Learning Tools Serving Mental Health Purposes

摘要

In recent years. Healthcare and Mental Health have been in the spotlight for the creation of tools using Artificial Intelligence (AI). Mental Health technologies have proliferated in the last years, from social robotics to self-help tools and internet-based intervention programs. In particular, machine learning algorithms have been embedded into applications, for example, to provide a probability or classification regarding risk behaviours (e.g., suicide prevention tools). This paper reflects on the use of AI applied in mental healthcare tools, to assist clinicians in diagnosis, differential diagnosis and monitoring of patients with brain-related disorders. Benefits regarding the use of these technologies in mental healthcare will be discussed as well as some limitations and ethical concerns.