
Can a machine treat depression? ZEIT-article about research done at h-lab
- Date: 10.07.2025
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In collaboration with psychotherapists from University of Greifswald, Florian Onur Kuhlmeier, Leon Hanschmann and Alexander Maedche at the human-centered systems lab (h-lab) of the Institute for Information Systems (WIN) are exploring how to train AI systems to provide cognitive behavioral therapy to young people with depression. The team developed a chatbot using large language models that learns therapeutic techniques similar to how human therapists are trained, using, treatment manuals, artificial users and feedback from trained psychotherapists. Initial findings show that AI can follow therapeutic guidelines and provide emotional support, but still faces challenges in areas like critical evaluation and knowing when to challenge rather than simply validate patient suggestions.
The article is online available (paywall): https://www.zeit.de/2025/28/psychotherapie-ki-depression-nett-forschung