The Opportunities and Challenges of AI in Counseling

This study aimed to synthesize discussions on the impact of AI technology on counseling, examine professionals’ adaptations, and identify future tasks. It analyzed academic discussions, particularly those addressing whether counseling can be replaced by AI, drawing on published academic studies of counseling services that incorporate AI technology. First, the study reviewed the current status of proposed AI-based mental health services, with a focus on digital therapeutics, self-help applications, and social robots. Next, the study examined AI chatbot counseling services, which were developed specifically for counseling. These were analyzed in terms of their development process, representative cases, and counseling outcomes. Lastly, the study identified the emerging responsibilities of counselors in the AI era derived from discussions on the potential for AI counselors, the integration of AI into counseling practice, and the ethical issues associated with AI.