All in on AI: Why Positive Psychology Practitioners Should Explore Artificial Intelligence

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Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

In late 2021, a clip of Bill Gates explaining this new concept called the internet to a skeptical David Letterman was making the rounds on social media. In that clip from 1995, Gates explained that the internet was a gateway to information—where companies could do commerce and people could share stories. An incredulous Letterman exclaims to Gates and the amused studio audience, “It's wild what's going on” (Giller, 2018).

Now, almost three decades later, it's just as wild. Moreover, we can choose to watch or we can choose to act. Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming our world and is here to stay. In its most basic description, AI is a computer system that can complete tasks without human input. It uses deep learning algorithms to recognize patterns and make decisions based on them. AI has emerged as one of the most promising and hotly debated fields in modern technology, offering the vast potential to revolutionize nearly every aspect of human life.

As positive psychology practitioners, understanding the implications of AI on our work and considering how our knowledge and research can guide the development of these technologies is important. Positive psychology is the scientific study of human flourishing and well-being, focusing on developing interventions and strategies that promote positive mental health outcomes. Integrating AI in positive psychology research and practice can offer new insights and methods for enhancing well-being. Still, approaching this integration with caution and an understanding of its potential impact is crucial.

The AI Opportunity and Challenges

One of the most promising areas of AI in positive psychology is its ability to analyze and identify patterns in large datasets, which has led to important breakthroughs in the field, such as using machine learning algorithms to identify language patterns on social media associated with mental health outcomes (Eichstaedt et al., 2015). By analyzing vast amounts of data, AI can help identify key factors and interventions promoting positive mental health outcomes, enabling researchers and practitioners to develop more effective and efficient interventions.

Another area of potential impact for AI in positive psychology is the development of automated interventions. Chatbots and virtual assistants, for example, have shown promising results in treating mental health conditions. One study demonstrated the efficacy of using a fully automated conversational agent, Woebot, as a digital intervention that engages with study participants through a chat-based interface, providing personalized cognitive behavior therapy techniques and supportive interactions to address their symptoms of depression and anxiety. The randomized controlled trial showed significant reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms, indicating the potential of automated conversational agents as a viable and accessible form of therapy for this population (Fitzpatrick et al., 2017).

In a field that has been criticized for its inaccessibility (e.g., van Zyl et al., 2023), these interventions can provide accessible and cost-effective support to individuals who may not have access to traditional mental health services. AI-powered interventions can be tailored to one's unique needs and preferences, offering a more personalized and effective approach to treatment.

However, integrating AI into positive psychology also poses significant ethical concerns. One major concern is AI's potential to reinforce existing biases and discrimination. For example, studies have shown that machine learning algorithms used in criminal sentencing have exhibited racial bias, leading to unfair outcomes for individuals from marginalized communities (Angwin et al., 2016). Technology is only as impactful as the humans who provide and program the datasets. AI must be developed and implemented responsibly and equitably to ensure it does not perpetuate existing biases and inequalities.

Another ethical concern is the potential for AI to replace human interaction and empathy in mental health interventions. While AI-powered interventions have shown promising results in treating mental health conditions, they should not be seen as a replacement for human interaction and support. The human touch remains crucial in promoting well-being and building resilience (Dagnino-Subiabre, 2022), and AI should be viewed as a complement to human interaction rather than a replacement.

Furthermore, using AI in positive psychology raises important questions about privacy and data security. As AI-powered interventions rely on vast amounts of personal data, appropriate measures must be taken to protect individuals’ privacy and prevent the misuse of personal data. Using AI in positive psychology should be transparent, with individuals fully informed of how their data is used and the potential risks and benefits of AI-powered interventions.

At the time of this writing, the AI-pause movement, a petition signed by hundreds of AI experts and technology leaders ask for a moratorium on certain types of AI development until ethical guidelines can be established (Knight & Dave, 2023). The AI-pause movement is an effort to ensure AI is used for good and not evil. While many fear AI will lead to robots taking over the world, others are merely concerned about the pace of development without ethical consideration. However, can the momentum be paused, or is the technology already so far ahead it is unstoppable?

How Positive Psychology Practitioners Can Get Involved

To address these concerns, positive psychologists must be involved in developing and implementing AI technologies. Positive psychologists can offer a unique perspective on how AI can be used to enhance well-being and can help ensure AI is developed ethically and responsibly. These guidelines can help ensure AI enhances well-being rather than perpetuates harm and bias. This should include a commitment to developing interventions that complement rather than replace human interaction and empathy.

As positive psychology practitioners, we can help create AI that augments human interaction rather than replaces it. We can work with data scientists and engineers to design algorithms and machine-learning models informed by our expertise in human behavior and emotions. With the potential to be a force for good, AI can be utilized to further positive psychology tenets and help our world flourish. This way, we can make sure that AI is used for the greater good of humanity, rather than causing disruption. Furthermore, we can use our knowledge of positive psychology to nurture a culture of humanity and compassion in AI applications. We can help create ethical standards ensuring AI is used responsibly and safely. We can also guide the development of intelligent bots and virtual agents so they can be more effective helpers for people in need.

The points above only touch on a handful of the benefits and a few of the concerns. The answer here is for us to explore the magnitude of what is coming our way—indeed, what is already here. By working with AI developers and utilizing our understanding of the science of well-being, positive psychologists can help ensure that AI is used responsibly and ethically to maximize its potential for enhancing well-being. Through research, training, and dialogue, positive psychologists can play an essential role in shaping the future. We will all use AI. The question is, will we be using it well? That is something we, as positive psychology practitioners, can help to ensure.

Key Takeaways

  • AI has the potential to revolutionize nearly every aspect of human life.

  • Positive psychology practitioners should understand the implications of AI on their work and consider how their knowledge and research can guide its development.

  • AI can analyze vast amounts of data and help identify key factors and interventions promoting positive mental health outcomes.

  • Automated interventions have shown promising results in treating mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.

  • Ethical concerns, such as reinforcing existing biases and discrimination or replacing human interaction, must be addressed when integrating AI into positive psychology.

  • Positive psychologists can contribute to the development of AI through research, training, and dialogue to ensure it is used responsibly and ethically to maximize its potential for enhancing well-being.

 References

Angwin, J., Larson, J., Mattu, S., & Kirchner, L. (2016). Machine bias. ProPublica. Retrieved from https://www.propublica.org/article/machine-bias-risk-assessments-in-criminal-sentencing

Dagnino-Subiabre, A. (2022). Resilience to stress and social touch. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 43, 75–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cobeha.2021.08.011

Eichstaedt, J. C., Smith, R. J., Merchant, R. M., Ungar, L. H., Crutchley, P., Preoţiuc-Pietro, D., & Schwartz, H. A. (2015). Facebook language predicts depression in medical records. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(33), 10303–10308.

Fitzpatrick, K. K., Darcy, A., & Vierhile, M. (2017). Delivering cognitive behavior therapy to young adults with symptoms of depression and anxiety using a fully automated conversational agent (Woebot): A randomized controlled trial. JMIR Mental Health, 4(2), e19. https://doi.org/10.2196/mental.7785

Giller, D. (2018, May 28). Bill Gates on Late Show, November 27, 1995 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgLiCNgRFZ8&t=6s

Knight, W., & Dave, P. (2023, March 29). In sudden alarm, tech doyens call for a pause on CHATGPT. Wired. Retrieved April 20, 2023, from https://www.wired.com/story/chatgpt-pause-ai-experiments-open-letter/

van Zyl, L. E., Gaffaney, J., van der Vaart, L., Dik, B. J., & Donaldson, S. I. (2023). The critiques and criticisms of positive psychology: A systematic review. The Journal of Positive Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2023.2178956

About the Author: Nizzi Karai Renaud (C’22) is an expert at building and scaling brands with heart and expertise. Her multicultural background has fueled her passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, and she's successfully led companies through challenges and triumphs in the public and private sectors while managing P&Ls and investor expectations. Currently Chief Brand Officer at Zazzle, Nizzi has a Master's degree in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master's degree in Integrated Marketing Communication, and a Bachelor's degree in Organizational and Management Communication from Emerson College.

An expert in engaging passionate communities, Nizzi has held executive roles at Etsy, Refinery29, and Atari, as well as executive roles agency-side across diverse sectors, including politics, tech, and the nonprofit world. She's been featured in GQ, Oprah.com, CNN.com, and Forbes, among other outlets, and has spoken at venues including Harvard Business School, EtailWest, and Shop.org. Nizzi is a dynamic force harnessing technology, marketing, and positive psychology to create content and tools that empower individuals and organizations to achieve optimal well-being. As a result, she has been dedicating her time to creating thought-provoking musings and work, which can be found at AnalysisHappiness.com. Named one of Marketing's Next Generation by Marketing Magazine, she lives in the Bay Area by way of Brooklyn, Toronto, Boston, London, and Kolkata with her musician husband and beloved dogs.

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Nizzi Renaud (C'22)

Nizzi Karai Renaud (C’22) is an expert at building and scaling brands with heart and expertise. Her multicultural background has fueled her passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, and she's successfully led companies through challenges and triumphs in the public and private sectors while managing P&Ls and investor expectations. Currently Chief Brand Officer at Zazzle, Nizzi has a Master's degree in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master's degree in Integrated Marketing Communication, and a Bachelor's degree in Organizational and Management Communication from Emerson College.

An expert in engaging passionate communities, Nizzi has held executive roles at Etsy, Refinery29, and Atari, as well as executive roles agency-side across diverse sectors, including politics, tech, and the nonprofit world. She's been featured in GQ, Oprah.com, CNN.com, and Forbes, among other outlets, and has spoken at venues including Harvard Business School, EtailWest, and Shop.org. Nizzi is a dynamic force harnessing technology, marketing, and positive psychology to create content and tools that empower individuals and organizations to achieve optimal well-being. As a result, she has been dedicating her time to creating thought-provoking musings and work, which can be found at AnalysisHappiness.com. Named one of Marketing's Next Generation by Marketing Magazine, she lives in the Bay Area by way of Brooklyn, Toronto, Boston, London, and Kolkata with her musician husband and beloved dogs.