The New Frontier of Emotional Support: Artificial Intelligence

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This accompanying story is part of the 'Leading a Behavioral Health Transformation' feature in the 2026 issue of Discoveries magazine.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into daily life is becoming ubiquitous, acting as a personal assistant in everything from banking to online shopping. In health care, AI is already improving diagnostics and streamlining clinical workflows. However, a new frontier is emerging. People are increasingly turning to chatbots for emotional support.

This trend is particularly prevalent among young people, according to Cinnamon Bloss, PHD ’07, a licensed clinical psychologist and professor at the UC San Diego Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science and the School of Medicine, whose research focuses on the intersection of technology and health.

Data shows that 13% of 12- to 21-year-olds report using AI for mental health advice — a figure that jumps to 22% among those aged 18 to 21. Among these users, 65% seek advice at least once per month.

Why chatbots?

In a landscape defined by a youth mental health crisis and low access to care, many see AI as a tool to fill the gaps. Bloss and Melissa Karnaze ’08, PHD, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health project scientist, convened a multidisciplinary panel to discuss the promise and risks of using AI for companionship, therapy and mental health support without the involvement of a health professional.