Kim, a 35-year-old office worker, turns to AI chatbots when feeling stressed. She says it is comforting to talk about problems she can’t share with others and to receive advice and support. Along with the increase of stress and anxiety, people are increasingly relying on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as a source of emotional support.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health issues have become common. And with the improvement of technology, AI chatbots have begun to serve as a new kind of “conversation partner.” However, many people still hesitate to share their personal stories and data with AI due to privacy concerns.

For instance, a September 2024 survey by the U.S.-based nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) found that 23% of adults believed AI could potentially harm people looking for accurate health information, while only 21% said they trusted the benefits of AI. Nonetheless, AI-powered mental health platforms are steadily growing and shifting public perception.

A leading example is Character.AI in the U.S., where users can chat with AI figures like “therapist” or “psychologist” personalities and receive emotional support at any hour of the day. Another similar service is Ebb, an app that offers features similar to the popular meditation app Headspace. So far, Ebb has recorded over 1.4 million interactions. Users report that they use these chatbots to have empathetic conversations during moments of anxiety or to receive personalized meditation content.

However, mental health experts agree that AI cannot fully replace human therapists. A representative from the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association noted, “AI offers great advantages in accessibility and convenience, but when it comes to subtle emotional understanding and crisis intervention, human professionals are still essential.”

AI-based mental health platforms are evolving beyond just technical tools—they are becoming part of a deeper, more human-centered approach to mental wellness. Still, experts express both hope and caution about this trend. We may be entering an era where conversations with AI can help soothe our minds, but for now, they cannot replace the emotional intelligence of real humans.

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