My AI Lackey

 

I read recently some snippet  brouhaha about AI  and some if its possible scariest applications for the future . I know we have for a while now seen the implication of deep fakes on the social media platforms and that in itself can become problematic , especially for those people who earn their money through branding themselves such as influencers and celebrities. Who knows how their  brand will fare after devoted  fans login to see fake images  of them jumping butt naked down the main street  with a tea towel on their head singing the Hallelujah Chorus . I’m suspecting a fair bit of damage control and lots of tweets to rectify that appalling brand tarnish . Maybe even  a  law suit.

In the end though , there is still not too much human collateral.

But what about us lowly types that do more social work and welfare orientated professions ? Hmmm… its got me a little worried

AI may increasingly be used in counseling and therapy, particularly for tasks like providing information, support, and even some forms of therapy. Am I bothered by that ?…. yeah you bet.

Not so much in its ability to be a great secretary or personal assistant  , as I would just love some system that could do all my boring jobs, like admin and reports LOL but more in the far trickier arena of dealing with peoples pain trauma and feelings . Counselling is a delicate space folks and there is abundant research to show that the biggest predicator of success in counselling is the client -therapist relationship, and that is irrespective of the type of counselling therapy utilized . Can AI  top that ?

There are rumblings that AI  will day replace those truly humanistic  related tasks  one day in the not so distant future .  Can AI really trump that adequately ?

My counselling supervisor told me that AI was moving towards the possibility of feeding in information  like emails , text and personal data from and about a deceased person  into an AI system and then their living loved would be met with regurgitated conversations using the vernacular, lexicon and particular traits of that deceased person.  What the hell ?! There is a whole lot of issues going on here for me.

 

AI and  Coping with Grief

 

As a counsellor grief is something clients come to my practice with and sometimes that grief can be what we call “ complicated grief  “.  It’s when people have loved ones who leave this world and still have unfinished business with that dead person or have issues  because of  their past experiences  around this death,  , or had a complex relationship with that deceased  person  . It leaves them unable to move on with their lives and they become psychologically and emotionally stuck. It’s a place that becomes fraught with deep distress and lack of ability to function or get on with the job of living .

Wow ! What a can of worms we have here ? Seriously , is it possible that we can have ongoing online written relationships and even audio/ visual or the mind boggles…. deep fake  virtual relationships with people in our lives who have died. This just blows my mind .

 

Could I have an ongoing AI generated connection with my Mum or Dad when they pass ?  As much as this sounds VERY tempting , would it not go against the need for us to grieve integrate and move on. Will we still build resilience  , gain wisdom and cope well with changes if we never lose anyone and never feel any pain ? What would that look like ? It may fill  a hole at the time , but what about the possible repercussions of this fake connection ? Will the living person become “ stuck “ in a fake world with what ultimately would be an  woefully unsatisfying relationship long term .

How would we learn to love and lose and then manage our everyday existence if there is no process of love and lost ?

 

 

No Touch like the Human Touch

 

 

 

My view is that as great as AI can be and its applications are numerous and it can free up time for more important things in life , it can and will never replace human connection in the moment .That visceral nuanced connection and bonding  we create and repeat and enrichen ,layer, upon layer, with others as we grow and learn with them through out our lives, surely that can never be replicated by artificial intelligence ?

People need touch and those physical gestures  for true  bonding and its not just something that can happen with conversation and being along side others. Despite what people say , you can’t REALLY deeply connect with a dating site profile , even though some people apparently believe they can and have been scammed into doing so by some ner’ do wells on the other side of the planet or Darkest  Peru . But that’s an illusion right ?

AI is not able to tune into that warm  intangible spiritual connection that occurs organically and spontaneously between two people. It can’t artificially manufacture chemistry .Lets face it , that has never been and never can be bottled or produced in a factory .  It would make some entrepreneur a squillion if it could. Just like happiness, its like grabbing at clouds .

 

Lets Make AI Work for Us !

 

 

While AI can be a valuable tool, especially in making mental health resources more accessible, it’s important to remember that it’s not a replacement for human counselors or therapists. The human element of empathy, compassion, validation  and understanding is crucial in counselling, and AI is currently best suited for supporting these efforts rather than replacing them entirely.

So where can we apply AI in the counselling  arena ?

AI can be used in counselling in various ways:

Information and education: AI can provide information about mental health conditions, treatment options, and coping strategies. It can help users understand their feelings and behaviors better. This is basic clinical information and can be great as a first port of call in learning about why you feel as you do . It can then direct you to get that human support you need.

Assessment and screening: AI can administer assessments and screening tools to help identify mental health issues. These assessments can be used to recommend appropriate interventions or referrals to mental health professionals. Clinical tools are very much as part of our world as counsellors and can certainly create a shorter pathway to diagnosis and a treatment sign post.

Support and communication: AI can provide supportive messages, reminders, and encouragement to individuals undergoing counseling. It can also facilitate communication between clients and counselors, such as scheduling appointments or sending follow-up messages.

Therapeutic interventions: AI can deliver therapeutic interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) exercises or mindfulness practices. These interventions can help individuals manage their mental health symptoms. This is more like a talking worksheet though rather than a customized organic therapeutic inter-connection, that grows changes and morphs as the relationship develops across time .

Monitoring and tracking progress: AI can track individuals’ progress in counseling by analyzing their interactions and responses. This information can be used to adjust treatment plans and interventions as needed. This can only augment and support the therapeutic alliance .

Crisis intervention: AI can provide immediate support to individuals experiencing a crisis, such as suicidal thoughts. It can offer resources, guidance, and support until professional help can be accessed. When there is no crisis person at the end of the phone line , in some cases this can be life changing and life saving.

Data analysis and research: AI can analyze large datasets of counseling interactions to identify trends, patterns, and outcomes. This information can be used to improve counseling practices and develop new interventions. We are always looking to improve the outcomes for our clients dealing with trauma and pain.

It’s important to note that while AI can be a valuable tool in counselling, it should not replace human counsellors or therapists. The human element of empathy, understanding, and connection is essential in providing effective counselling services.

I’m all for new and better ways to inhabit and improve the quality of our lives and so many new discoveries and technologies have made life a whole lot easier and more manageable. I bloody love my GPS . But that part that makes us really human ? Well that’s just and only solely the domain of being human isn’t it ? I think most of us would be happy about that . I know I am !