The use of artificial intelligence tools as a substitute for psychological care already represents a "public health problem," warned Sofia Ramalho, president of the Order of Portuguese Psychologists. According to Ramalho, this trend has been growing and raises serious concerns about the risks it poses to the population.
The president highlighted that AI tools do not have the capacity to replace the work of a psychologist, as they cannot reproduce the empathy, clinical judgment, and therapeutic relationship that are fundamental to the psychological care process. The use of these technologies without professional guidance can lead to incorrect diagnoses and a worsening of users' mental health status.
Sofia Ramalho argued that it is necessary to create more responses in terms of mental health in Portugal, in order to reduce the reliance on technological solutions that do not replace specialized care. The warning comes at a time when the demand for psychological support has been increasing significantly in the country.
