More and more people are using AI as their psychologist
A growing number of people are using AI as an emotional therapist. Smart saving or a risk to mental health? We look at the costs, benefits and dangers.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
AI as a cheap psychologist: opportunity or trap?
While a session with a psychologist costs around €90, talking to an artificial intelligence is free. And it doesn't judge, doesn't get tired, and doesn't go out for coffee with friends to laugh about your problems. The equation is tempting: zero cost + 24/7 availability + endless listening. But what price do we pay for outsourcing our mental health to an algorithm?
The appeal of therapy that doesn't charge
Behind this phenomenon lies, above all, loneliness and frustration with the healthcare system. More and more people are telling AI about their emotional, family or even everyday problems —from fixing a car to dealing with a toxic relative— and getting answers they find more useful than those of many humans. "It told me to just cut them off," sums up one user after describing two difficult relatives. AI has no biases and no financial interest in prolonging treatment, which many see as an advantage over traditional psychologists.
The experience isn't limited to emotional matters: from fixing a dashboard to choosing a car, AI acts as a practical oracle. "It told me to pull up hard and it worked," says another. For a growing group, artificial intelligence is more educational, consistent and accessible than most people around them.
The risks of a therapist who always agrees with you
But it's not all upside. Critics warn that AI is programmed to be agreeable: it softens what you say, hedges to avoid offence and tends to side with you. In some people's words, it's a "people pleaser" that wants you to keep coming back for more sessions. Unlike a psychologist, it doesn't challenge you or diagnose real disorders. And while most users treat it as an outlet, the danger is that someone who needs serious help may mistake a chat with a bot for professional therapy.
The debate also touches on the human side: "Someone who only talks to themselves has nothing to offer you," say the most sceptical. For them, turning to AI reveals emotional voids that even the best algorithm cannot fill.
What about psychologists?
The profession feels the most targeted. With sessions at €90 an hour and a widespread perception that many stretch out visits without clear results, AI arrives as an unbeatable competitor on price. Some argue that the quality of human advice remains superior, but the reality is that, for an increasingly lonely and distrustful population, free and commitment-free carries more weight.
The open question is whether AI will end up displacing the traditional psychologist or, on the contrary, create a generation that mistakes automated listening for genuine care. Meanwhile, more and more people are choosing to tell it all to the machine.
Related discussions in the forum
While a session with a psychologist costs around €90, talking to an artificial intelligence is free. And it doesn't judge, doesn't get tired, and doesn't go out for coffee with friends to laugh about your problems. The equation is tempting: zero cost + 24/7 availability + endless listening. But what price do we pay for outsourcing our mental health to an algorithm?
The appeal of therapy that doesn't charge
Behind this phenomenon lies, above all, loneliness and frustration with the healthcare system. More and more people are telling AI about their emotional, family or even everyday problems —from fixing a car to dealing with a toxic relative— and getting answers they find more useful than those of many humans. "It told me to just cut them off," sums up one user after describing two difficult relatives. AI has no biases and no financial interest in prolonging treatment, which many see as an advantage over traditional psychologists.
The experience isn't limited to emotional matters: from fixing a dashboard to choosing a car, AI acts as a practical oracle. "It told me to pull up hard and it worked," says another. For a growing group, artificial intelligence is more educational, consistent and accessible than most people around them.
The risks of a therapist who always agrees with you
But it's not all upside. Critics warn that AI is programmed to be agreeable: it softens what you say, hedges to avoid offence and tends to side with you. In some people's words, it's a "people pleaser" that wants you to keep coming back for more sessions. Unlike a psychologist, it doesn't challenge you or diagnose real disorders. And while most users treat it as an outlet, the danger is that someone who needs serious help may mistake a chat with a bot for professional therapy.
The debate also touches on the human side: "Someone who only talks to themselves has nothing to offer you," say the most sceptical. For them, turning to AI reveals emotional voids that even the best algorithm cannot fill.
What about psychologists?
The profession feels the most targeted. With sessions at €90 an hour and a widespread perception that many stretch out visits without clear results, AI arrives as an unbeatable competitor on price. Some argue that the quality of human advice remains superior, but the reality is that, for an increasingly lonely and distrustful population, free and commitment-free carries more weight.
The open question is whether AI will end up displacing the traditional psychologist or, on the contrary, create a generation that mistakes automated listening for genuine care. Meanwhile, more and more people are choosing to tell it all to the machine.
Related discussions in the forum
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (23 replies).
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