UGA Lecture Addresses Ethical Implications of AI in Mental Health Support for College Students
Hee Yun Lee, Thomas P. Holland Distinguished Professor in UGA’s School of Social Work, delivered a lecture during Ethics Week focusing on the ethical considerations surrounding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for mental health support, particularly among college students. Lee highlighted that AI already plays a significant role in how young people seek mental health advice, with 91.7% of young adults finding AI advice somewhat to very helpful. She categorized AI tools into general-purpose platforms like ChatGPT and Claude, and specialized mental health chatbots such as Wysa and Earkick. The lecture explored four key ethical questions: privacy and consent, safety and accountability, human connection and choice, and fairness and equity. Lee emphasized the need for expanded AI literacy education and specific modules on 'AI and Mental Health Safety' in current training programs to ensure safer AI use.
