What is the impact of AI on mental health?How can that be managed?

“What is the impact of AI on mental health? How can that be managed?”
— Above theme was discussed in a recent panel discussion at Harvard University. https://youtu.be/AMZdOg0IBzU

We address a few comments below:

“AI is not the problem. Compulsive nature of human beings is the problem. What are we doing to challenge human beings to take ownership of their compulsive nature and them being influenced by AI?” – Sadhguru

Modern society exists on the foundation of many layers of technological developments. Coal powered local motives and steam engines are among the early developments. It is also true that each technological development helps many people and hurts others as part of their widespread use in society. An evolved social order seeks to maximize the benefits of new “technology” for many and minimize their harm limited to as few as possible.

Widespread use of any new technology was readily adapted in the past, thanks to the “Compulsive nature” of human beings. Their harmful effects were physical, readily visible – such as death and injury through accidents or physical illness (coal miner’s lung disease).

As stated in the panel discussion “We (humans) are organisms that thrive in our connections with others. Harnessing that is a very valuable goal and a need.” This belief in our inter-connected nature is an aspect of “enlightened living” described by Swami Sarvapriyananda during the panel discussion. It is this human aspect that drove professionals who developed technologies in the past, also to insist on developing “Safety standards” and adhering to them. As an example, the “Codes and Standards” division of ASME was established and rigorously used to develop and oversee Safety standards in the development of steam engines and boilers (pressure vessels), railroad, etc. In this regard “Professionals” are NOT workers who merely earn wages for a living, as stated in this panel discussion. Instead, professionals are enlightened workers that seek the governing principles – “Brahman” – and their appropriate use for the safety and better living for all. There are also rigorous standards for medical profession and practice, since injury, harm and death of any patient is abundantly visible!

AI as an evolving new technology layer must be assessed and developed in the above well-established pathway for social benefits. Today the expansion of AI and its use is growing at a pace faster than anyone could imagine even a few years ago. Yet, regulations on their impact and safety standards are woefully lacking. Professional societies such as the American Association for Artificial Intelligence (AAAI), Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the IEEE Computer Society need to play a more aggressive role in developing safety codes and standards to regulate and minimize the adverse mental health effects of AI – discussed in this panel session.

Self-governance for safety has not been afforded to the Chemical industries or Automotive or mining industries for good reasons. Their negative impact was physical and visible. “Technology Sector” companies have enjoyed their freedom to regulate themselves for far too long. Now they have grown to be “too big to fail”. Their health effects in terms of economic inequality, mental health and “ultra processed information” are all not physical and hence invisible, at first sight. Government agencies, legislators and professional societies are all lost in their ways to regulate the mental health and safety concerns posed by AI. This is our reality. It requires “enlightened leaders” from all walks of life and their wisdom to drive public opinion. Let us hope that could be a visible outcome of panel sessions like this one!

Finally, with respect to individuals, the need to think differently has been evident ever since the birth of “Computer age”, since the late 1970s. Please see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va6mrqK4uog&t=325s  This video talk reflects the lived experience of professionals in the age of “Information” and “Globalization” and now AI. The solution relies on “System Thinking and Transformational Skills (STTS)” for professionals to conceive, develop and implement a stream of new solutions. Such system thinking is enabled by education and skills that simultaneously emphasize Critical Thinking (Science), Applications Orientation (Engineering) and Strategic drive (Management). There is a need for widespread education on such STTS. Along with that is a real need for education on “Practical Philosophy” to foster Enlightened Living (i.e.) a mindset that is kind to oneself, but also considerate of all those around and their economic and mental health. These skills and their practice have to become commonplace for professional success and mental hygiene. This will be in line with the suggestion from the panel discussion and a common practice like “daily brushing of teeth for physical hygiene”.   

Any technology by itself is not inherently “good” or “bad,” Perceptions of good or bad are outcome of the prevailing Knowledge, Bias and Ignorance”: First principle of Cognitive behavior Management through Practical Vedic Philosophy.  AI amplifies existing human tendencies without limits since it directly impacts our brain and thinking, hence impacts every human being. Historically —sometimes painfully, but with diligence and commitment for larger social good (Enlightened Living) – safety frameworks around transformative technologies have been implemented. We are missing such diligence for “safety” regulations and practices, since the computer age (early 1980s). It is to some extent a reflection of the failure of the “Spiritual leaders” and academic leaders/institutions to inculcate the basics of enlightened living in the minds of public at large?

Framing the mental health issues of AI, solely as human compulsivity risks underestimating the role of AI design itself. Modern AI systems are not passive tools; they are engineered to maximize engagement, personalization, and persuasive influence. The interaction between vulnerable human psychology and powerful adaptive technology—not either alone—is the true issue.

The tools for regulated use of AI (or other social media) to protect the mental health of the users may be already there in plain sight! All free applications on AI available online also have a time limit built into their use. If the limit is exceeded the user is redirected to sign up for a paid subscription or the use of the application is delayed for a few hours! These limits in the use of AI tools are already enabled by their developers for economic or commercial reasons. They could also be enabled to manage their adverse effect on mental health of the users? This will require Mental Health professionals working with AI developers to identify tolerable use limits (of time) without adverse mental health issues. This is not the solution for ALL AI driven mental health issues. But there is an urgent need for collaborative effort across mental health experts, AI developers and Social Psychologists. The urgent need for such collaborative work cannot over emphasized!

Spiritual traditions offer valuable insights into attention, compulsivity, purpose, and human flourishing. These should complement—not replace—evidence-based psychiatric understanding. Mental illness arises from complex biopsychosocial mechanisms; AI is now becoming a new environmental modifier within that ecology. 

The central question is not whether AI is good or bad, but whether and how we can shape it to augment human flourishing rather than exploit human vulnerability.

Thanks to my fiend Dr. Keshavan and his thoughtful review and comments on this post.

Notes from Panel discussion at Harvard https://youtu.be/AMZdOg0IBzU

“Steam engines replaced horses and cattle. But, along with that hundreds of people died breathing the smoke and in coal mining. You and I are alive and well today. But several were lost along the way”                – Sadhguru

“Mindfulness is necessary to overcome mental health issues caused by AI

But how do you bring that education to schools in an organized and proper way?”

Each of us carries different sets of causes for mental health. They are divergent and widely varying.

The solution requires alliance with Spiritual Leaders.

Biomedical causation for mental health is not always body centered.

They are often for reasons outside of the physical body.

Your physical health and mental health are both your responsibility as individuals.

Effects of Ultra processed food on human health are well known.

With regards to AI, what does ultra processed information do for human health?

“Multiplication of desires, attention deficit issues and conflicting philosophic perspectives (Human without consciousness and without a sense of higher purpose) would seem to the causes for modern day mental health issues”                              – Swami Sarvapriyananda

“AI is not the problem. The compulsive nature of human beings is the problem. What are we doing to challenge human beings to take ownership of their compulsive nature and their being influenced by AI?” – Sadhguru

Can I use Consciousness as a modality to heal?  — audience question

“You are conscious when you start eating. Then you lose consciousness and start eating more and more!” – Sadhguru

“Professional” is someone who works for earning income for living. It is opposite of volunteering.

“It is a struggle for all of us to live a life to earn a “living”. It may happen that AI will

replace this “curse” and liberate the few to live a life for what the human brain is capable of,

as universal living income becomes a way of life for everyone.  — Sadguru.

A simple process of keeping your good mental health must be taught for everyone,

Just as brushing your teeth is taught as a discipline to keep it clean every day.

Early education on Mental Health Hygiene is needed.  – Kesavan.

Suppose there is no ultimate reality, Brahman does not exist, then the entirety of human

existence has no meaning, no value or relevance. The entire way of enlightened living is conceived

to create a society of enlightened beings   — Sarva Priyananda. Brahma Prathipakti Tesham
(Taitriya Upanishad).
Enlightened living implies – physically, emotionally and intellectually healthy society.

Meditation is a quality like fragrance of a flower. It is fragile.

Possible next steps:

• Community health workers.
• Faith in yourself (not merely faith in a religious sense)
• We (humans) are organisms that thrive in our connections with others. Harnessing that is a very valuable goal and a need.