Young people's perceptions and recommendations for conversational generative artificial intelligence in youth mental health

TL;DR

This study explores young people's perceptions of conversational AI chatbots in youth mental health, highlighting their attitudes, needs, and design recommendations for ethical and effective integration.

Contribution

It provides novel insights into youth perspectives and co-designed system requirements for genAI chatbots in mental health services.

Findings

Young people want human-like AI that maintains care quality.

Transparency about AI workings is important to users.

Recommendations for safe, ethical, and user-centered chatbot design.

Abstract

Conversational generative artificial intelligence agents (or genAI chatbots) could benefit youth mental health, yet young people's perspectives remain underexplored. We examined the Mental health Intelligence Agent (Mia), a genAI chatbot originally designed for professionals in Australian youth services. Following co-design, 32 young people participated in online workshops exploring their perceptions of genAI chatbots in youth mental health and to develop recommendations for reconceptualising Mia for consumers and integrating it into services. Four themes were developed: (1) Humanising AI without dehumanising care, (2) I need to know what's under the hood, (3) Right tool, right place, right time?, and (4) Making it mine on safe ground. This study offers insights into young people's attitudes, needs, and requirements regarding genAI chatbots in youth mental health, with key implications for service integration. Additionally, by co-designing system requirements, this work informs the ethics, design, development, implementation, and governance of genAI chatbots in youth mental health contexts.