An increasing number of individuals, particularly young people, are turning to generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT for emotional support, ranging from navigating break-ups and seeking advice for major decisions to alleviating anxiety. This practice, once considered a technological novelty, is now a primary application of AI, according to recent findings.
Data from a Harvard Business Review report (source in Spanish) indicates that emotional support and companionship represent the most frequent use of generative AI, surpassing other applications such as personal life management, searching for purpose, or adopting healthy habits. This surge in AI reliance coincides with a global decline in mental health, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that over 1 billion people worldwide are grappling with some form of psychological disorder or well-being issue.
However, the growing dependence on these AI systems has also sparked significant concerns. An investigation by the British newspaper The Guardian highlighted instances where AI systems integrated into search engines provided inaccurate health information or decontextualized content presented as factual. Recognizing the profound impact these technologies can have on individuals, the European Union has subjected AI systems applied to health to the strictest requirements under its Artificial Intelligence Act.
Mexican psychologist María Fernanda Cruz Urquiza observes that this phenomenon addresses very specific emotional needs. She notes a rise in people consulting ChatGPT before making critical decisions, especially those involving relationship conflicts or separations. Cruz Urquiza views ChatGPT as a valuable initial resource for individuals who lack emotional self-regulation strategies or cannot afford traditional psychological therapy, calling it “a low-cost alternative that I see as very helpful as a first resource.”
Psychotherapist Cecilia Paredes Aldama largely concurs with this assessment, though she has not seen her patients abandon traditional therapy for ChatGPT. Instead, she observes them utilizing the tool to draft messages, enhance assertive communication, or prepare for challenging conversations. Paredes explains, “It’s a resource, especially for people who don’t want to lay their problems bare in front of others.”
Both experts acknowledge that artificial intelligence can be beneficial in certain situations. Paredes suggests it can help mitigate anxiety by assisting with time management, prioritizing tasks, or even proposing ways to establish boundaries at work. Nevertheless, she stresses that this assistance remains superficial. “Artificial intelligence can help take the edge off anxiety, but it does not remove the cause,” Paredes states.
A significant concern for Paredes is AI's tendency to adopt an overly accommodating tone. She contrasts this with human psychotherapy, which challenges individuals, noting, “Psychotherapy challenges you; artificial intelligence doesn’t. It’s completely indulgent.” She warns that consistently seeking validation from ChatGPT could reinforce flawed interpretations of reality, potentially amplifying selfish behaviors or narcissistic traits. “If you get into the habit of consulting artificial intelligence and it always tells you that you’re right, you can end up with a very distorted picture of your life,” Paredes cautions.
Cruz Urquiza shares similar worries, approaching them from a different angle. She believes ChatGPT is “over-empathetic,” a characteristic that offers immediate relief but does not necessarily foster profound personal change.
Although they acknowledge the potential of artificial intelligence, both specialists agree there is one element no algorithm can reproduce: the therapeutic relationship. Paredes emphasizes that feelings of shame, guilt, or emotional pain genuinely find relief only when shared with another person. “Shame is an emotional state that is eased by talking about it, by sharing it. It needs human connection,” she explains, adding, “We are relational beings, and artificial intelligence is never going to replace the human bond.”
Cruz Urquiza supports this perspective with scientific evidence from interpersonal neurobiology, asserting, “Real therapeutic change happens in the resonance between two human beings, something AI cannot replicate.”
The psychologists conclude that while artificial intelligence can be useful for clarifying specific doubts, organizing thoughts, managing tasks, or providing initial support in the absence of other immediate alternatives, professional help is recommended for persistent emotional distress or issues affecting multiple aspects of life. As Paredes succinctly puts it, “Artificial intelligence is just a practical tool; there’s no depth.” Cruz Urquiza further reflects on the future of AI in mental health: “ChatGPT knows an enormous amount; yet it still doesn’t know what humans know: how to be there for someone from the experience of being.”
