Ethical Considerations in Artificial Intelligence Interventions for Mental Health and Well-Being

Abstract

AI has the potential to revolutionize mental health services by providing personalized
support and improving accessibility. However, it is crucial to address ethical concerns to ensure
responsible and beneficial outcomes for individuals. This systematic review examines the ethical
considerations surrounding the implementation and impact of artificial intelligence (AI) interventions
in the field of mental health and well-being. To ensure a comprehensive analysis, we employed a
structured search strategy across top academic databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of
Science, and Scopus. The search scope encompassed articles published from 2014 to 2024, resulting
in a review of 51 relevant articles. The review identifies 18 key ethical considerations, including 6
ethical considerations associated with using AI interventions in mental health and wellbeing (privacy
and confidentiality, informed consent, bias and fairness, transparency and accountability, autonomy
and human agency, and safety and efficacy); 5 ethical principles associated with the development
and implementation of AI technologies in mental health settings to ensure responsible practice
and positive outcomes (ethical framework, stakeholder engagement, ethical review, bias mitigation,
and continuous evaluation and improvement); and 7 practices, guidelines, and recommendations
for promoting the ethical use of AI in mental health interventions (adhere to ethical guidelines,
ensure transparency, prioritize data privacy and security, mitigate bias and ensure fairness, involve
stakeholders, conduct regular ethical reviews, and monitor and evaluate outcomes). This systematic
review highlights the importance of ethical considerations in the responsible implementation and
impact of AI interventions for mental health and well-being. By addressing privacy, bias, consent,
transparency, human oversight, and continuous evaluation, we can ensure that AI interventions
like chatbots and AI-enabled medical devices are developed and deployed in an ethically sound
manner, respecting individual rights, promoting fairness, and maximizing benefits while minimizing
potential harm.