The Potential Harms of AI Psychotherapy: A Fear as Old as ELIZA.

The article discusses the historical context and ongoing debate surrounding the use of computer programs in psychotherapy, tracing back to the 1966 developments by Kenneth M. Colby and Joseph Weizenbaum. Colby aimed to create a system for automated psychotherapy, while Weizenbaum's ELIZA program was...

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Publicado en:American Journal of Bioethics Vol. 26; no. 2; pp. 69 - 72
Autores principales: Ranisch, Robert, Meier, Lukas J.
Formato: Journal Article
Publicado: Taylor & Francis Ltd Feb2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Feb2026
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      pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd
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        atl: The Potential Harms of AI Psychotherapy: A Fear as Old as ELIZA.
      aug:
        au:
          Ranisch, Robert
          Meier, Lukas J.
        affil: University of Potsdam
      sug:
        subj:
          Artificial Intelligence Ethical Issues
          Psychotherapy Ethical Issues
          Mental Health Teletherapy Ethical Issues
          Psychotherapists
          Chatbot
          Natural Language Processing
          Software Design
          Respect
          Empathy
          Love
          Waiting Lists
          Bioethics
          Ethics, Medical
          Professional-Patient Relations
          Technology, Medical
          Health Policy
          Risk Assessment
      ab: The article discusses the historical context and ongoing debate surrounding the use of computer programs in psychotherapy, tracing back to the 1966 developments by Kenneth M. Colby and Joseph Weizenbaum. Colby aimed to create a system for automated psychotherapy, while Weizenbaum's ELIZA program was intended as a parody of therapeutic dialogue, highlighting the superficiality of human-machine interactions. The article contrasts Colby's pragmatic approach, which emphasizes the potential benefits of technology in addressing mental health needs, with Weizenbaum's ethical concerns about replacing human therapists with machines. This historical discourse is relevant today as discussions about AI-based therapy resurface, reflecting similar ethical dilemmas and considerations.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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