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ZDNET's key takeaways
Consumer AI chatbots cannot replace mental health professionals.
Despite this, people increasingly use it for mental health support.
The APA outlines AI's dangers and recommendations to address it.
Therapy might be expensive and inaccessible, while many AI chatbots are free and readily available. But that doesn't mean the new technology can or should replace mental health professionals -- or fully address the mental health crisis, according to a recent advisory published Thursday by the American Psychological Association.
Also: Is ChatGPT Plus still worth $20? How it compares to the Free and Pro plans
The advisory outlines recommendations for the public's use and over-reliance on consumer-facing chatbots. It underscores the general public and vulnerable populations' growing use of uncertified, consumer-facing AI chatbots and how they're poorly designed to address users' mental health needs.
Largest providers of mental health
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