The Role of AI Chatbots in Mental Health Related Public Services in a (Post) Pandemic World: A Review and Future Research Agenda

Nadja Damij, Suman Bhattacharya

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)
267 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore the advances in artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots as part of public services, mainly when applied to mental health in today’s post-pandemic world. The adoption of AI chatbots to keep up with basic customer support business activities is based on extensive knowledge, both from the hard (software development) and the soft side (increasing the added value to the service/product). However, using chatbots as extenders of public services to support mental health in pandemic times is an emerging research topic. Hence, the paper identifies niche and under-explored research gaps in state-of-the-art literature, thus contributing to the body of academic knowledge. The paper adopts a design science approach to formulate the problem statement, articulate the objectives of target solutions, and propose a design and development framework for future mental health chatbots by employing an extensive literature review. Findings from this paper emphasize considerations of ethical issues and governance, purposeful and goal-oriented design, and AI-based technology as critical enablers for designing new mental health chatbots. The paper contributes to the knowledge by providing clear and structured future research priorities and offers a framework for designing more effective and intelligent mental health chatbots that public organizations and managers may find useful.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2022 IEEE Technology and Engineering Management Society Conference - Europe (TEMSCON EUROPE)
Subtitle of host publicationSocietal Challenges: Technology, Transitions and Resilience Virtual Conference
EditorsAlexander Brem, Tugrul Daim, Yogesh K. Dwivedi, Jelena Španjol, James Fleck
Place of PublicationPiscataway, US
PublisherIEEE
Pages163-170
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9781665483131
ISBN (Print)9781665483148
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Apr 2022
Event2022 IEEE Technology and Engineering Management Conference (TEMSCON EUROPE) - Virtual, Turkey
Duration: 25 Apr 202227 Apr 2022

Conference

Conference2022 IEEE Technology and Engineering Management Conference (TEMSCON EUROPE)
Country/TerritoryTurkey
Period25/04/2227/04/22

Keywords

  • Artificial Intelligence chatbots
  • AI chatbots
  • Public services chatbots
  • mental health services
  • Chatbot design
  • Pandemic

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