Second Response to Francis Gregg Spencer MacKeen, St. Francis Xavier University Technology is quickly growing as a staple of our everyday lives to the point where it has become expected that some jobs, previously done solely by humans, become automated through advanced intelligence technology, otherwise known as AI. However, despite the rapid growth in the use of AI, and in its abilities, the efficacy of their use in particular jobs should be questioned and this is taken up by Francis Hunter Gregg in his article Artificial Intelligence and Therapy where he offers a thought provoking critique on the use of AI chatbots for therapy. Gregg’s work helps bring the real question which should be at the forefront of all discussions of technology, which is not where can technology be used but rather where should technology be used? While many argue that advancements in technology can help solve many of the problems we experience in our lives, Gregg shows that if not implemented for their optimal use then technology can have the opposite effect because there are some experiences which are uniquely human. Therapy is a position where the human perspective and empathy is required, which Gregg shows. Often, those seeking help with any form of depression, but particularly existential depression, are not seeking answers to help them alleviate their problems as if they were a machine, which is all AI is capable of. Rather, they require a person with the unique understanding of the human experience to help show them the ways they can move forward with their lives and find meaning. While AI may not be a suitable replacement for human therapists, an interesting argument would be their suitability in assisting therapists themselves as a tool at their disposal. How AI should instead be used was briefly touched on by Gregg but could have been given more depth, such as questioning whether chatbots could be used to help direct those suffering from existential depression to a professional therapist. While these chatbots may not be able to help lead those suffering from existential depression to finding their meaning, from this it cannot be inferred that they cannot help those suffering from other forms of depression which have not reached this extent. It must be considered whether all forms of depression inherently require human connection in order to provide some assistance to those who seek it. As Gregg stated, the growing use of chatbots is due to their ability for wide spread use, so if the risks of their use for those suffering from existential depression can be mitigated through their programming then these chatbots could provide a scale of mental health support that humans are incapable of, while also
40
C O M M E N TAT O R
