Report finds well-being apps welcomed but users wary of AI

The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), in partnership with the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE), has shared preliminary results from a comprehensive three-year study aimed at shaping the future regulations for digital mental health technologies (DMHTs).

The first phase of the report, started in 2023, highlights the public's cautious optimism about these technologies, albeit with reservations about the role of AI.

How did it work?

The MHRA's investigation into DMHTs involved a detailed mapping of the applications' characteristics to lay the foundation for a regulatory framework.

London-based research agency Woodnewton facilitated the study by conducting 28 focus groups and eight in-depth interviews with adults, plus additional dialogues with intermediaries like social workers and children. This extensive outreach aimed to capture a broad spectrum of experiences and concerns regarding digital mental health solutions.

Why does it matter?

This research is significant because it addresses the burgeoning role of DMHTs within the UK's health landscape, especially as these technologies might soon be recognized as Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) under UK law.

The findings suggest a need for careful integration of these apps within the broader mental health services, stressing that while they can complement traditional therapies, they should not replace them.

"The scale of the challenge is vast, and it's been reassuring to see such commitment to lived experience throughout the project whilst enabling flexibility in our involvement," one study participant noted, reflecting a broader sentiment that while digital tools are ascending, they must be leveraged judiciously and inclusively to genuinely benefit public health.

The context

The backdrop to this study is the global expansion of the AI market, projected to increase from $103 billion in 2023 to over $1 trillion by 2030. Within this growth, mental well-being apps and chatbots are emerging rapidly. However, the MHRA's report underscores a public wariness towards AI's ability to emulate human therapeutic interactions, with mixed reactions to AI's risks and benefits.