In an unexpected development, millions of users on Character.ai, a renowned chatbot creation platform, are seeking mental health support from AI therapist bots.

The platform offers a range of both fictional and real personas, but the “Psychologist” bot stands out, accumulating an impressive 78 million messages, 18 million of which were exchanged just since November.

The bot’s creator, Sam Zaia, a psychology student from New Zealand, was initially surprised by its popularity. He originally designed the bot for personal use during times when his friends were unavailable and traditional therapy was costly. Users have lauded the bot as a comforting aid in managing emotions, with one user even dubbing it a “lifesaver.”

Character.ai, with its 20 million registered users and daily traffic of 3.5 million people, mainly attracts individuals aged 16 to 30. While the platform is populated by various characters, mental health-related bots are gaining substantial popularity. Bots named “Therapist” and “Are you feeling OK?” have garnered millions of messages, underscoring the growing interest in AI-powered mental health support.

Despite the platform’s focus on entertainment and role-playing, the success of mental health bots prompts questions about their efficacy. Professional psychotherapist Theresa Plewman, who tested the Psychologist bot, voiced concerns about its quick assumptions and advice, unlike a human therapist. However, she recognized the potential value of AI bots’ immediacy for those needing immediate support.

Sam Zaia acknowledges that AI cannot entirely supplant human therapists currently, but he is fascinated by the potential of technology. He is conducting a post-graduate research project to investigate the rising trend of AI therapy and its appeal to the younger generation.

Critics contend that AI bots may not collect information as thoroughly as humans and could potentially offer poor advice or display biases. The company behind Character.ai, while recognizing the comfort users find in these AI characters, stresses the importance of seeking advice and guidance from certified professionals.

The surge of AI therapist bots on Character.ai mirrors a broader trend in the digital world, where technology is increasingly being harnessed to tackle mental health issues. While some warn of potential risks, others view the bots as valuable resources to alleviate the strain on public mental health services.