The successful operation of chatbots like the famous ChatGPT by OpenAI has made many of us wonder if something like this would be possible. Until today, the answer could be a “yes,” at least to some extent.
According to Techcrunch, a study revealed that 80% of people who used ChatGPT for mental health counseling considered it a good alternative to traditional therapy. On the other hand, another report also revealed that the use of chatbots can be effective in reducing symptoms related to depression and anxiety. However, there is something that ChatGPT lacks: the human factor.
One of the keys to successful treatment is the established relationship between therapist and patient. It is very important to feel safe and have a professional who shows empathy and trust. In fact, it is essential for the patient to be able to face their problem and overcome it successfully.
However, not everyone has the necessary facilities to receive therapy. This is what small companies like Sonia want to solve with the use of AI. Its three founders, Dustin Kliebe, Lukas Wolf, and Chris Aeberli, are convinced that you can receive quality psychological assistance with the help of artificial intelligence.
As Klebe explains in TechCrunch, “to some extent, creating an AI-driven therapist is like developing a medication, in the sense that we are building a new technology instead of packaging an existing one.” Its application, Sonia, uses various generative models to analyze what users say during “therapy sessions” and respond accordingly.
Through cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques, the application assigns “tasks” to reinforce the reflections that arise from the conversations. It also helps identify the main factors that cause stress in the patient.
