Perceptions and attitudes of undergraduate university students toward artificial intelligence-powered mental health chatbots: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety are increasingly common among youth, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches to care. With the growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the fields of healthcare, understanding students’ attitudes toward AI-driven mental health tools is important. This study explored perceptions and acceptance of AI-based mental health interventions among undergraduate students at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). Results A cross-sectional survey of 360 students assessed digital literacy, prior experience with digital interventions, preferences for mental health support, and perceived barriers. Most participants (94.4%) reported moderate to high confidence in technology use; however, only 17.8% had used mental health apps and 11.9% had used a mental health chatbot, whereas 76.9% reported using chatbots for general purposes. Traditional therapy remained the preferred option (54.7%), compared to chatbot-based treatment (23.1%). Key perceived advantages of digital tools included accessibility (67.2%), affordability (65.3%), and user-friendliness (64.7%). The primary concerns were data security (59.2%) and a lack of legal oversight (70.8%). Conclusions Despite high digital literacy, students’ trust and comfort with AI-based mental health tools were limited. Findings suggest that enhancing cultural adaptation, user education, and implementing stronger safeguards and regulatory frameworks are essential to increase acceptance and promote responsible adoption of AI in the care of mental health.