Artificial Intelligence in the Behavioral Health Professions: Ethical and Risk Management Issues. Frederic G. Reamer

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to emerge throughout the social work field, considering the ethical implications for the use of AI in the behavioral health field is a necessary task. Reamer, who is recognized as a pioneer in social work ethics, has many years of expertise in developing guides to ethical decision-making, which positions him as the perfect candidate to answer the call to the constantly evolving use of AI in behavioral health and its ethics and risk management issues. His expertise is evident in his application of AI to ethical challenges, the knowledge offered, and the case studies provided. Reamer offers the insight needed to critically reflect on the ethical use of AI in the behavioral health profession. The book is organized into four chapters for a comprehensive exploration of AI use and ethical and risk management issues. The first chapter provides a historical overview of AI and information about the various AI options that can be used in behavioral health settings. Commonly used AI tools—such as chatbots, social robots, search engines, predictive analytics tools, speech-to-text tools, text recognition, speech generation, image recognition and generation, and research tools—are explained. Reamer defines each AI option and presents its benefits and risks. Case studies are used to offer real-world practice experiences. Through the use of case studies, Reamer brings attention to the ethical implications and risks that could impact the individual and the practice. Explored in the book are ethical considerations such as the behavioral health organization’s duty to inform an individual of the risks to privacy when disclosing information to a chatbot offered through the organization or the use of research tools that allow researchers to condense literature or draft research papers. Reamer delves into five ways in which AI is used in behavioral health: (1) providing clinical services, (2) documenting clinical services and encounters, (3) performing administrative tasks and functions, (4) conducting research and program evaluations, and (5) educating, training, and supervising students and practitioners. By understanding the five primary ways AI functions in behavioral health, readers gain the foundation necessary to ensure its ethical and responsible use.