Between Awareness and Readiness: Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence Among Indonesian Mental Health Professionals

Background: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly used in mental health practice, yet evidence on healthcare professionals’ knowledge and perception regarding its use remains limited. This study evaluated Indonesian mental health professionals’ perceptions of AI use in psychiatric services. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 267 healthcare professionals across Indonesia, using the Shinners Artificial Intelligence Perception (SHAIP) questionnaire. Results: All participants (100%) reported awareness of AI, and 53.2% had already applied it in daily practice. Participants aged 41–50 y.o. (compared to ≤40 y.o., p < 0.01) and profession (general practitioner and resident, compared to psychiatrist, each p < 0.01), were significantly associated with AI use after multivariable adjustment. Overall perception of AI was positive. Perceived professional impact differed significantly by profession (resident vs. psychiatrist, p = 0.03), and by workplace setting (psychiatry hospital vs. general hospital, p = 0.02) after multivariate analysis. Despite this generally positive perception, 82.8% of participants reported that they received no training in AI use, while only 21.0% agreed that they had received adequate formal AI training specific to their roles. Conclusion: Most Indonesian mental health professionals are aware of and already using AI in daily practice, with generally positive perceptions of its role. However, the gap between AI adoption and formal training calls for structured AI education in this workforce.