New guidance sets out principles for understanding artificial intelligence in psychology
New guidance sets out principles for understanding artificial intelligence in psychology
Publish Date: 2026-04-22 11:10:00
Source Domain: www.bps.org.uk
-
The Global Psychology Alliance (GPA) has released new guidance for psychologists on integrating AI into mental health services with an emphasis on ethics, competence, and access.
-
The guidance includes ten principles categorized under ethics, professional competence, and access, bias, and inclusion.
-
Dr. David Harley welcomed the guidance, noting its importance for psychologists to assume greater responsibility when using AI in research and therapy.
-
Psychologists are encouraged to develop AI literacy to incorporate ethical application and work collaboratively with technologists to ensure the benefits of AI for society.
-
The guidance stresses maintaining transparency and oversight with service users and safeguarding the therapeutic use of AI.
-
It aims to support existing laws and standards rather than replace them and seeks to facilitate ongoing discussions about digital integration and psychological wellbeing.
-
The British Psychological Society (BPS) is forming a new AI group to provide further practical guidance on the use of artificial intelligence in psychology.
-
There are concerns that AI-powered chatbots might encourage delusional thinking, particularly among vulnerable individuals, highlighting the need for rigorous standards in the use of AI.
