Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the efficacy of AI therapeutics for mental health treatment.

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Health and Care Award has provided £123 million to 86 AI technologies. The Award was created to accelerate the testing and evaluation of some of the most promising AI technologies that can support clinicians in stroke diagnosis, cancer screening, cardiovascular monitoring and managing mental health conditions.

One such technology funded by the Department’s AI in Health and Care Award is Wysa, a digital health app that uses an AI chatbot and a series of self-care exercises to provide mental health support and help people develop strategies to manage their mental health.

The app is being tested to see if it can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in people who are referred to Improving Access to Psychological Therapies as well as help identify people who are experiencing severe mental health difficulties so they can be provided with additional support.