In a world where over 970 million people struggle with mental health issues and human therapists are stretched beyond capacity, a silent force is rising—Artificial Intelligence. From late-night conversations with empathetic AI chatbots to mood-tracking tools powered by emotion recognition, this episode uncovers how AI is quietly reshaping how we heal, cope, and connect.
We dive deep into the world of AI in mental health—exploring the science of Emotion AI, and what this all means for access, stigma, and emotional support—especially in underserved regions like Africa. But beyond the benefits, we confront the risks: emotional dependency, data privacy, and the irreplaceable human touch.
Can an algorithm truly understand pain? Will AI ever replace a therapist’s warmth? And how do we design systems that listen with heart, not just code?
Tune in for a deeply human, beautifully told journey into one of the most intimate intersections of technology and humanity.