Tencent and Chinese Academy of Sciences Receive Patent for AI-Powered Mental Health Counseling: 24/7 Access to AI Psychologists

The Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Psychology, in collaboration with Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., has been awarded a patent for their "AI-Based Psychological Counseling/Conversation System and Its Method," originally filed on June 6, 2020. The Institute is also undergoing substantive review for another patent titled "A Method and System for Endowing Artificial Intelligence with Psychological Knowledge for Learning." This innovative system encompasses several components: an input module, a language analysis module, a logic tree conversation module, a pre-knowledge database, and a summary and feedback module.

The input module collects user conversation data, utilizing a psychological knowledge graph and a multi-turn dialogue management module for intent analysis. This interaction iteratively refines the dialogue process, ensuring structured conversations. The language analysis module organizes user interactions according to an intelligent psychological counseling logic tree, enhancing the flow with targeted feedback on psychological and emotional issues while facilitating tailored intervention plans.

Overall, this AI-based psychological counseling system strives to simulate the experience of conversing with a human counselor. Users can engage with the AI for psychological advice and intervention strategies. While platforms like ChatGPT have previously been consulted for psychological inquiries, they highlight their limitations in replacing professional counseling.

Can this new AI counseling system match the effectiveness of human counselors? The answer isn't straightforward. Unlike human counselors, AI offers 24/7 availability, allowing for quick responses anytime. Zhang Wen, a level-two national psychological counselor, notes that AI can integrate effectively into psychological counseling. “Psychological issues are contextual and time-sensitive, making an always-available AI a highly efficient supportive tool,” she explains. In the early stages of counseling, AI can assist by analyzing real-time data on a user’s mental state, leading to more precise intervention plans.

On the flip side, AI can effectively address simpler psychological issues. For straightforward problems that require minimal emotional nuance, Zhang believes AI can meet user needs effectively.

However, despite its advancements, AI is unlikely to completely replace human counselors. The counselor-patient relationship extends well beyond mere question-and-answer exchanges. Effective counseling hinges on a counselor's ability to perceptively recognize shifts in a patient's emotions. "The quality of therapy depends on establishing a stable and safe relationship, including emotional warmth—something difficult for AI to replicate," she asserts.

While many individuals face mental health challenges, a significant number have never sought counseling, often due to stigma or cost concerns. An affordable AI solution could provide a welcoming entry point for those hesitant to pursue traditional counseling, reducing anxiety linked to initial conversations. Nonetheless, Zhang advises caution when choosing AI for psychological support, emphasizing the importance of considering fees, privacy, security, and the accuracy of AI's data-driven conclusions. Misguided insights could inadvertently exacerbate a patient's anxiety or distress, complicating their psychological challenges even further.