As scrutiny grows over the mental health impacts of artificial intelligence, Google’s clinical director, Megan Jones Bell, is championing AI as a constructive tool for crisis intervention via its Gemini chatbot.
“It can seem sometimes like shutting something down is a way of preventing harm. We believe that making our product experience safer and more helpful and strengthening that bridge to support it is the more effective path to support mental health for the most people.”
Jones Bell’s remarks to STAT underscore Google’s commitment to refining AI interactions, particularly for users in mental health distress. The company has recently enhanced its Gemini app to prioritize crisis resource connections when self-harm risks are detected. While the AI frequently directs users to external support systems, it also reassures them of its ongoing presence, such as reminding a user, “I’m here to listen.”
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