AI can be considered a branch of psychology. Many psychologists contributed to its advancement over the past 70 years. More recently it has become a domain for engineers, computer scientists and data scientists. The basis of AI is that by using techniques inspired by neural biology (artificial neural network) computers can be enabled to learn in much the same way as organisms with biolological neural network are able to do. This approach has been very succesful, with AI now permeating many aspects of our lives, society and the economy.

A Psychologist learns to conduct psychological assessment and intervention by using neural networks in their brain. Now that we have machine learning by artificial neural networks: is it possible to develop robot machines that can deliver psychological services?

CogAI is a robot that performs psychological assessment (cognitive and functional) of an older person (60 years+), automatically over the phone. From the assessment results, CogAI can accurately (> 95% correct) conclude, for most people, that the person will not have an onset of dementia in the next 5 years.

This presentation will describe the development of CogAI and present results from studies of CogAI's psychometric properties. Briefly, CogAI was designed as a Conversational AI Chatbot, that asks assessment questions, listens to answers and scores responses. On completion of assessment items administration, CogAI tallies item scores and compares the results to normative data to draw clinical conclusions and make recommendations. Administration details, results, conclusions and recommendations are compiled into a Psychological Report, which then sent to the referring clinician.

Our studies have found that the CogAI agrees with the results of the same assessment administered, over the phone, by a psychologist (r=0.81), that the one week test-retest reliability of the CogAI (r=0.76) is good and that CogAI scores can be used to replicate study findings of psychologist administered assessments.

We conclude that the CogAI is a drop-in AI-automated replacement for the same or similar assessment by a psychologist.

AI has been shown (in our studies and others) to be able to automate specific units of psychological services provision. We need to start thinking about the pathway(s) forward for AI in Psychology.

The future will be a mix of augmentation (service by psychologist using AI), automation (service by AI alone) and innovation (services by AI that have yet to be imagined). Informed participation by Psychologists is the best way to shape that mix.

In the past year, we have been exposed to the A.I. tools which are supposed to revolutionise productivity and create numerous advancements to traditional technologies and workplaces.

The negative sides of this technology are emerging (If not already predicted) including disrupting various organizations and professional services, especially in the financial, marketing, and technology spaces, with concerning potential to displace various workforces, disrupt industry and economies.

Little has been discussed or researched to the potential impact of A.I. tool on human psychology, relationships and social psychology.

With an ever increasing utilisation and reliance of social media and electronic devices to facilitate communication, which are the fundamental glue to society, the possibilities of having A.I, to rapidly transform visual, audio and written information, with the ability to create enormous content with questionable authenticity is a pressing concern. This has a fundamental impact on the mental health and wellbeing of individuals, families, communities and societies as a whole.

On a day to day level, we are seeing content that is fabricated to the point where it is difficult to decipher its authenticity. The content can be indistinguishable from original content, with vast improvements and investments in deep fake, manufactured images, targeted content and algorithms directed to artificially navigate content, based not on individual choices, but targeted to attract and retain attention for revenue streams.

As a Psychologist, the most concerning impact of A.I. is a significant threat to people and society, as this technology has the ability to 'dilute' or 'flood' information with a veil of authenticity. People using this technology can disrupt one of the most fundamental elements of our society, the ability to Trust.

In the field of Psychology, if the fundamental human ability to trust one another if disrupted, monetized, monopolized, or manipulated, will create a seismic shift to the equity and access of our societies.

This paper starts to address some of the global challenges of A.I. to human and social experience. We are inviting discussion and exploring the impact of A.I. in the field of Psychology and mental health