Artificial intelligence in psychotherapy: opportunity or risk?
In the latest episode of the podcast “AI and Society—Paths to a New World,” Christoph Soltmannowski speaks with Raffaela Witting, a clinical psychologist specializing in psychotherapy (FSP) and a federally certified psychotherapist.
Raffaela Witting, who runs her own practice in Zurich, does not see artificial intelligence as competition, but as an opportunity for psychotherapy. AI can bridge long waiting times, provide preventative support and help patients with everyday challenges. At the same time, she emphasizes the limits: Human expertise remains indispensable for serious mental disorders or crises.
Witting pays particular attention to practical applications. With the AI-supported tool PlaneVoice the documentation of therapy sessions is automated - an enormous relief for therapists, who thus gain more time and presence for their patients.
However, in addition to opportunities, Soltmannowski and Witting also talk about risks. Topics such as data protection, data sovereignty and the need for clear regulations run like a red thread through the conversation. Witting advocates a reflective approach: experts need to actively engage with the opportunities in order to help shape the future instead of being overwhelmed by developments.
An episode that shows how technology and humanity can interact in psychotherapy - and which questions our society urgently needs to clarify.
