Risks and ethical considerations of using artificial intelligence in mental health care

This chapter takes a critical look at the potential risks and ethical dilemmas associated with AI-driven mental health tools like DeepSeek. While DeepSeek’s open-source flexibility and powerful AI capabilities can greatly enhance clinical decision-making and mental health support, they also amplify concerns around data privacy, algorithmic bias, risk of dehumanisation, and accountability. This chapter addresses these issues and calls for a robust ethical framework, vigilant human oversight, and ongoing evaluation to ensure that AI interventions remain transparent, fair, and aligned with the core ethics and values of patient care. The chapter emphasises the importance of transparency, accountability, and ethical design in the development and deployment of such tools.