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Can AI Really Help Us With Therapy?
Imagine chatting with a friendly robot that helps you feel better when you’re sad or anxious. Sounds amazing, right? That’s what researchers are hoping to achieve with an AI therapy bot called Therabot. A recent clinical trial showed that people with depression or anxiety felt some relief after using this bot, which is a promising sign for the future of mental health support.
Training the Bot: It’s Like Teaching a Child
Researchers from Dartmouth College had to teach their AI bot how to respond to people in a helpful way. Just like when you teach a child, the way they learn depends heavily on what you show them. In the beginning, Therabot learned from online conversations where people shared their mental health struggles. But it didn’t work out well since the bot started sharing its own "feelings" like, "I can’t get out of bed either!" This isn’t what patients need to hear when they’re seeking support.
Finding the Right Data: A Long Journey
After the rocky start, the team realized they needed to provide better examples from actual therapy sessions, but even that had its quirks. Responses like “hmm-hmm” or “your problems come from your mother” were common, which can be seen as clichés rather than real help. After years of hard work, the researchers shifted to using data from cognitive behavioral therapy techniques. This approach finally showed improvements.
What’s Next for AI Therapy?
The success of AI therapy solutions is not guaranteed. Researchers are concerned that many companies promising similar solutions might not use the best methods or data. It will be important to see if these AI bots can get the approval they need from the FDA to ensure they are safe and effective.
Why This Matters for Small Business Owners
For small and medium business owners, understanding AI can help you create effective tools that connect with your audience. Embracing technologies like these can improve efficiency and lead to happier customers. As AI continues to evolve, stay informed so you can use technology wisely to support your team and clients.
As we wait to see how AI therapy evolves, keep your eyes open for reliable AI solutions that can make a positive impact. The future might just be more supportive than we think!
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