Artificial intelligence and mental health: Dammam experts define the future of treatment
In an important scientific step that settled the escalating debate about the future of psychotherapy in light of the technological revolution, 34 experts and consultants in psychiatry and artificial intelligence concluded their extensive discussions in the city of Dammam, emphasizing a golden rule that governs the future of the profession: "Technology remains merely a supporting tool, while the human element remains the basis of recovery.".
The context of digital transformation in healthcare
This came at the conclusion of the "Role of Artificial Intelligence in Transforming Mental Healthcare" conference, organized by the Erada Complex for Mental Health in Dammam. This significant event aligns with the strategic directions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia within Vision 2030, which prioritizes digital transformation in the healthcare sector. The Kingdom is experiencing an unprecedented medical and technological renaissance, aiming to harness the latest technologies to serve patients. However, this conference served to clarify the unique aspects of psychiatry, emphasizing that algorithms—no matter how advanced—cannot replace human empathy and direct therapeutic interaction.
Scientific outputs and key recommendations
The three-day medical gathering featured intensive scientific activity, including 29 scientific lectures and 12 specialized workshops. These events focused on how to adapt smart technologies to improve the quality and safety of healthcare and build the professional capacity of practitioners, while also cautioning against the dangers of "complete automation," which could strip psychotherapy of its essential human element.
The discussions concluded with a key recommendation emphasizing that while digital transformation has the immense potential to revolutionize services and accelerate diagnosis and data analysis, it cannot eliminate the "human element." Experts agreed that the direct relationship between therapist and patient remains the cornerstone and unwavering foundation for the success of any treatment plan, especially in a sensitive field like mental health, which relies heavily on understanding complex human emotions and behaviors.
The importance of the event and its professional impact
For his part, Dr. Marjaa Al-Yami, the complex's operations manager, explained that the conference primarily aimed to raise public and professional awareness about the safe and responsible use of technology and to establish a culture of consultation based on reliable sources. This approach is essential for bolstering trust in healthcare services and keeping pace with the planned digital transformation, thus reducing the risks of indiscriminate reliance on unapproved applications.
In a clear indication of the conference's scientific value, the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties accredited its scientific content for 23 continuing professional development (CPD) hours, underscoring its paramount importance in supporting the professional development of healthcare practitioners. These accredited hours contribute to equipping medical professionals with the skills to balance the use of digital tools with upholding ethical and humanitarian professional standards.
The events concluded with the participants emphasizing that the integration of artificial intelligence into the treatment process must be subject to strict controls and ethical standards that ensure its use to serve the patient, while the final medical and therapeutic decision remains in the hands of qualified human personnel to ensure a safe, effective and sustainable recovery experience.
