GENERATIVE AI use should be recognised as a public mental health concern, WHO recommended this month
The body urged responses across government, health systems, and industry to address general AI solutions, not solely directed at mental health
This follows an online workshop held on 29th January 2026, at which more than 30 international experts in AI, mental health, ethics, and public policy convened for a pre-summit event ahead of the India AI Impact Summit 2026
Key Recommendations
WHO also recommended that impact assessments and monitoring of generative AI should address mental health, to prompt better understandings of its impact on health determinants, short-term clinical measures, and long-term outcomes such as emotional dependence
Alongside this, experts concluded that there must be collaborations between AI designers, mental health experts, and people with lived experience (including youth) in the development of AI tools used for mental health support
Tools must be developed on a foundation of the strongest available evidence and tailored to cultural, linguistic, and contextual factors, WHO reported
Experts also emphasised consumer empowerment and the need for crisis referral frameworks and accountability systems
Growing Use of AI for Emotional Support
WHO highlighted that generative AI tools are neither designed nor test for mental health, rendering the increasing use of generative AI tools for emotional support, particularly by young people, a growing concern
Sameer Pujari, WHO AI Lead, Geneva, Switzerland, said: “We are at a critical juncture
“The pace of AI adoption in people’s daily lives has far outstripped investment in understanding its impact on mental health
“Closing that gap requires coordinated action and dedicated re
Another expert, Dr Kenneth Carswell, WHO Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, Geneva, Switzerland, reported that minimising risk and maximising the benefits of AI requires strategic partnerships between those most affected, experts in the field, data, and governmental frameworks
Implications of the Pre-summit
WHO is establishing a Consortium of Collaborating Centres on AI for Health
This will comprise of leading institutions across WHO regions, designed to aid Member States in using AI responsibly
A pre-convening of candidate members of the consortium was held on 17th–19th March 2026, where stakeholders agreed on initial mechanisms for the infrastructure required to ensure AI governance in health aligns with current evidence, ethics, and meets the need of global diverse populations
Reference
World Health Organization. Towards responsible AI for mental health and well-being: experts chart a way forwards. Available at: https://www.who.int/news/item/20-03-2026-towards-responsible-ai-for-mental-health-and-well-being–experts-chart-a-way-forward. Last accessed: 31 March 2026
Featured image: Tada Images on Adobe Stock
Author:
Anna Caldwell
