Korea issues guidelines on using generative AI for mental health; over half of teen users say they feel dependent on AI (report)

What happened

According to the Electronic Times (etnews), Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association released 'Guidelines for Using Generative AI for Mental Health Purposes' on the 8th, ahead of Mental Health Day. The guidelines come in two parts: general guidance for all users, and guidance for children, adolescents, and their guardians. They aim to keep users from treating AI responses as medical diagnoses or becoming excessively emotionally dependent on AI. According to findings released alongside the guidelines, more than half of adolescents who use generative AI feel they are dependent on it. Details such as the survey population and sample size were not confirmed in the excerpt.

Why it matters

This is the Korean government's first official usage guidance on using generative AI for mental health counseling. It could serve as a reference for companies in Korea designing mental health or counseling AI services or building youth protection features.

Sources

• Press 청소년 이용자 절반 "AI에 의존"…정부, 정신건강 이용지침 마련 Electronic Times (Korea)