• Assessing generative artificial intelligence for mental health

    John Torous, Eric J Topol

    Lancet. 2025 Jun 11:S0140-6736(25)01237-1. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(25)01237-1. Online ahead of print.

    As more studies emerge exploring the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) conversational chatbots in health, it is clear these tools offer benefits that were absent in earlier digital health approaches. The generative abilities of newer chatbots have surpassed the previous generation of rule-based chatbots and mental health apps in their ability to gain medical knowledge, synthesise information, customise care plans, and potentially be scaled up for use in mental health services. Earlier this year the first randomised trial of a generative AI chatbot (Therabot) for mental health treatment was reported. The Therabot intervention was compared with a waiting-list control in adults with major depressive disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, or at risk of feeding and eating disorders and showed symptom improvement at 4 and 8 weeks. Yet larger trials and more research are warranted to confirm the effectiveness and generalisability of this and related chatbots interventions.