'It cannot provide nuance': UK experts warn AI therapy chatbots are not safe

I think the core of the problem here is that the people who turn to chat bots for therapy sometimes have no choice as getting access to a human therapist is simply not possible without spending a lot of money or waiting 6 months before a spot becomes available.

Which begs the question, why do so many people currently need therapy? Is it social media? Economic despair? Or a combination of factors?

I always liked the theory that we're living in an age where all of our needs can be reasonably met, and we now have enough time to think - in general. We're not working 12 hour days on a field, we're not stalking prey for 5 miles, we have adequate time in our day-to-day to think about things - and ponder - and reflect; and the ability to do so leads to thoughts and epiphanies in people that therapy helps with. We also have more information at our disposal than ever, and can see new perspectives and ideas to combat and cope with - that one previously didn't need to consider or encounter.

We've also stigmatized a lot of the things that folks previously used to cope (tobacco, alcohol), and have loosened our stigma on mental health and the management thereof.

> we have adequate time in our day-to-day to think about things - and ponder - and reflect;

I'd disagree. If you worked in the fields, you have plenty of time to think. We fill out every waking hour of our day, leaving no time to ponder or reflect. Many can't even find time to workout and if they do they listen to a podcast during their workout. That's why so many ideas come to us in the shower, it's the only place left where we don't fill out minds with impressions.

I think GP means more that we generally don't have to worry about survival on a day to day (or seasonal) basis anymore, so we have more time to think about bigger issues, like politics or social issues - which I agree with, personally.