By Louise Lyck Dreehsen og Peter Witten, AAU Communikation and Public Affairs
Photo: Colourbox

Can artificial intelligence support young people in crisis? Researchers from Aalborg University will investigate this question in a new interdisciplinary laboratory called AI:MIND.

75 percent of all mental disorders occur between the ages of 10 and 20 – often with identity disorders as early signs. That is why it is crucial to intervene early and offer easily accessible support to young people who begin to show signs of poor well-being.

"We are increasingly seeing that young people are struggling with their mental health, and identity often plays a central role in these challenges. Our ambition is to find out whether AI technology can help the many young people who need support," says Majse Lind, associate professor of clinical psychology at the Department of Communication and Psychology at Aalborg University.

Will not replace human contact

Together with Niels van Berkel, professor at the Department of Computer Science, she is behind the projects that will investigate whether conversational AI can play a role in both prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems among young people.

Although the project has technology as its focal point, the researchers emphasize that AI will not replace human contact – on the contrary.

"Relationships and communities are crucial for young people's well-being. We hope that the AI solution can support those who find it difficult to seek help themselves and would like to assist healthcare professionals in spotting early signs of poor well-being. The technology must thus supplement, not replace, the human contact, says Majse Lind.

Young people's search for identity

The project combines expertise from psychology and computer science in the search for digital solutions that can help young people strengthen their mental well-being – with a particular focus on identity issues.

"We envision a digital solution that can be integrated with existing systems that exist in adolescent psychiatry and that is available to people when they need it most – for example through an app on their mobile phone," says Niels van Berkel.

The researchers will also investigate how artificial intelligence can be used in the training of professionals who treat young people with mental health challenges, e.g. by simulating young people with mental health problems in a "harmless", digital training context for health professionals.

Niels van Berkel emphasizes that AI:MIND has the potential to be able to contribute positively to the acute societal challenge, where a large number of young people are not thriving. 

AI:MIND is part of Aalborg University's five new AI Labs, which you can read more about here.