In this episode of SecureTalk, Justin Beals welcomes Daniel Oberhaus, the author of Silicon Shrink, to discuss the revolutionary and controversial integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in mental health care. Daniel demystifies the central theme of his book, explaining the concept of Silicon Shrink and exploring how AI tools are increasingly being used to diagnose and treat mental health conditions.

He highlights the alarming implications of leveraging AI in psychiatry, the historical intersection of these two fields, and the potential pitfalls and ethical challenges this marriage presents. He also delves into the technical, policy, and philosophical dimensions of using AI in psychiatry, bringing attention to various case studies and real-world applications such as emotion-recognition technology and AI-driven triage systems like those used by the Crisis Text Line.

Daniel's insights present a compelling narrative, urging a cautious yet hopeful approach to adopting AI technologies in areas as sensitive as mental health, underscoring the need for transparency, privacy, and ethical considerations.

Book:

Oberhaus, Daniel. The Silicon Shrink: How Artificial Intelligence Made the World an Asylum. MIT Press, 2025. (Link)