D²iCE providing keynote addresses Down Under

At the Brain and Mind Centre Symposium 2024 Pep’s keynote followed a welcome by the Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Ms Sam Mostyn AC. In his keynote, titled “Artificial Intelligence in mental health – are we there yet?” Pep spoke about the role AI is starting to play in mental health service delivery and research. Using examples from recent and ongoing D2iCE research conducted by Drs. Maekawa, Glavin and Kelly, he sketched the beneficial role AI can play in screening, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, but also touched upon the limitations and potential dangers associated with unbridled use of AI. A recording of his keynote address is available on youtube.

During his keynote at the annual conference of the Australian Society for Mental Health Research (SMHR), titled “Artificial Intelligence in mental health – friend, foe or fad?”, Pep explained to the audience the breadth of AI approaches used in mental health and that some of these pose higher risks than others. Using research conducted in the D2iCE centre, he illustrated that the application of AI in mental health can range from very simple, easily explainable models that yet yield impactful results, to highly complex models with astonishing results that are often more difficult to explain. In his keynote address he further touched upon the importance to ensure AI does not exhibit bias, remains affordable for everyone, results in equitable access to healthcare services and must address the needs of minorities to the same extent as those of majority groups.