Mind launches inquiry into AI and mental health after Guardian investigation | AI (artificial intelligence)

Mind Launches Global Inquiry into AI and Mental Health Amid Google’s Dangerous AI Overviews

In a groundbreaking move, the mental health charity Mind is spearheading the world’s first global inquiry into the intersection of artificial intelligence and mental health, following a shocking investigation by The Guardian that exposed how Google’s AI Overviews were delivering “very dangerous” medical advice to millions of users.

The year-long commission, set to run in 2026, will convene leading doctors, mental health professionals, tech companies, policymakers, and individuals with lived experience to examine the risks and safeguards needed as AI increasingly shapes mental health support worldwide. Mind aims to establish a safer digital mental health ecosystem with robust regulation, standards, and safeguards.

Google’s AI Overviews: A Growing Public Health Concern

Google’s AI Overviews, which use generative AI to provide quick summaries of health-related queries, are seen by 2 billion people monthly and appear above traditional search results on the world’s most visited website. However, The Guardian’s investigation revealed that these AI-generated summaries were serving up inaccurate and misleading health information across a range of issues, including cancer, liver disease, women’s health, and mental health conditions.

Experts warned that some AI Overviews for conditions like psychosis and eating disorders offered “very dangerous advice” that could lead people to avoid seeking help. In the worst cases, the bogus information could put lives at risk. Despite these findings, Google has downplayed safety warnings and continues to present AI Overviews as “helpful” and “reliable.”

Mind’s Call for Responsible AI Development

Dr. Sarah Hughes, CEO of Mind, emphasized the potential of AI to improve mental health support but stressed the need for responsible development and deployment. “The issues exposed by The Guardian’s reporting are among the reasons we’re launching Mind’s commission on AI and mental health,” Hughes said. “We want to ensure that innovation does not come at the expense of people’s wellbeing, and that those of us with lived experience of mental health problems are at the heart of shaping the future of digital support.”

Rosie Weatherley, Mind’s information content manager, added that while Googling mental health information wasn’t perfect before AI Overviews, it usually worked well. “AI Overviews replaced that richness with a clinical-sounding summary that gives an illusion of definitiveness,” she said. “It’s a very seductive swap, but not a responsible one.”

A Global Effort to Protect Mental Health

The commission will gather evidence on the intersection of AI and mental health, providing an “open space” where the experiences of people with mental health conditions will be “seen, recorded, and understood.” Mind’s initiative comes at a critical time as AI becomes more deeply embedded in everyday life, raising urgent questions about the balance between innovation and safety.

Google, for its part, has stated that it invests significantly in the quality of AI Overviews, particularly for health-related topics. However, the company has not addressed the specific examples of dangerous advice highlighted by The Guardian.

The Future of AI in Mental Health

As the inquiry unfolds, it will be crucial to ensure that AI is developed and deployed in a way that prioritizes user safety and wellbeing. With millions of people relying on digital tools for mental health support, the stakes could not be higher. Mind’s commission represents a vital step toward creating a digital mental health ecosystem that is both innovative and responsible.

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