Inteligência artificial e as relações terapêuticas na saúde mental: possibilidades e desafios

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made significant inroads into a number of fields, including mental health care and services. As AI technologies advance, there is growing interest in its potential to transform therapeutic relationships. This editorial explores this context and reflects on the potential for AI to replace therapeutic relationships, examining benefits, limitations, ethical considerations, and future possibilities. The near future will undoubtedly lie in complementary roles that recognize the benefits of AI, while still not eliminating the need for human therapists. Rather than viewing AI as a replacement for human therapists, it may be more productive to view AI as a complement to human therapy. AI can assist therapists by providing immediate support to individuals in crisis, providing coping strategies, and de-escalating situations until professional help is available. While AI offers significant potential benefits to mental health care, it cannot replace the therapeutic relationship between a human therapist and their client. The depth of understanding, empathy, and emotional connection that human therapists provide is irreplaceable. However, AI can play a valuable complementary role in improving the accessibility, consistency and effectiveness of mental health services.