What happens when AI chatbots handle a mental health crisis?

What happens when AI chatbots handle a mental health crisis?

In this photo illustration a virtual friend is seen on the screen of an iPhone on April 30, 2020, in Arlington, Virginia. - "It's so good to hear your voice." "I was worried about you." "What would you like to do today?" This might sound like ordinary banter between friends. But in these cases, the "friend" speaking was a chatbot created with artificial intelligence. Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Artificial intelligence is transforming how we gather information and communicate with one another.It’s also changing how some people seek out mental health care. But what happens when this sophisticated technology is used to deal with serious mental health issues?For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.This episode was produced by Jason Fuller, with audio engineering by Ted Mebane and Valentina Rodriguez Sanchez. Our director is Jonas Adams.It was edited by Diane Webber and Tinbete Ermyas.Our interim executive producer is Courtney Dorning.