During the third day of Dubai AI Week 2025, mental health specialists and startup founders highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) as a supportive tool in the mental health field. They cautioned, however, that AI should not operate independently without human oversight. Marco Bertetti, the co-founder of AI-assisted virtual mental health clinic Alea Health, emphasized the importance of using AI cautiously to ensure patients follow appropriate steps.

Claudius Boller, founder of the AI mental health platform Ollie AI, pointed out that 80 percent of current healthcare and insurance systems focus solely on treating diagnosed conditions. He argued that this approach is flawed, stating, “We feel this is structurally wrong. We are here to prevent and predict mental health at the very early stage.” Boller reiterated that AI cannot be the sole solution, noting a shortage of mental health professionals to address various issues.

Nokhez Usama, a behavioral neuropsychologist and founder of the AI-powered mental health platform Mindme, remarked that AI has facilitated discussions around mental well-being and helped reduce stigma. Users can share their feelings with the AI tool, which provides advice based on their descriptions. This method serves as a preliminary warning system for potential disorders, enabling users to recognize early signs of mental health issues.

Usama highlighted that the anonymity offered by the platform encourages users to open up more quickly, stating, “We’ve been able to break barriers much faster.” Nonetheless, she expressed caution about allowing AI to take a central role in treatment.

The future of mental health care may involve a combination of AI, mobile health applications, and wearable technology. Bertetti explained that such integration might help in identifying stress triggers before they escalate into more significant problems. For instance, if AI had access to an individual’s wearable data and work schedule, it could detect patterns, like an increased heart rate before a scheduled public speaking event, and offer timely support or alert a mental health professional. This holistic approach could help users link their emotions and daily experiences more effectively.