Webinar: Lived Experience Centered AI in Mental Health

Sponsored by: SIG-AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) holds transformative potential in mental health, offering solutions to critical challenges such as resource scarcity and lack of awareness. However, the rapid advancements and hype surrounding AI often marginalize the voices of those most impacted—people with lived experiences of mental health concerns. This talk examines how individuals with lived experience perceive mental health AI technologies and explores how to design solutions centered around their values and needs. First, I studied a federally funded mental health AI research project, examining how individuals with lived experiences were treated primarily as data contributors rather than as research partners. Building on these insights, I explore how meaningful collaborations with these individuals can inform the design of a schizophrenia relapse management tool. I also investigate the potential of large language models (LLMs) in supporting self-management of depression, focusing on the unique perspectives and priorities of those with lived experience. By centering these voices, this work highlights the need for inclusive innovation and reimagines the role of AI in the future of mental health.