Excessive use of AI may blunt creative thinking, caution experts
Speaking at the National Consultation on Adolescent Mental Health in Bhopal, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) Bengaluru, director Dr Pratima Murthy, cautioned that excessive use of generative tools may blunt creative thinking and reduce critical engagement.
She reflected on AI-generated writing, noting, "Its ability to make up things on the go is very dangerous," emphasizing the need for fact-checking and careful scrutiny of outputs.
The ethical dimensions are equally pressing. "People are talking about ethics in this area," Dr Murthy said, urging the development of responsible frameworks for interacting with AI—ones that consider the moral complexity of digital systems.
Adding another layer, Dr Murthy highlighted the increasingly surreal quality of AI-generated visuals. She underscored growing unease over how artificial content blurs boundaries between reality and fabrication, prompting questions about its psychological and societal impact.
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To illustrate the diminishing creative value, she cited her own experience: "You ask AI to write poems—it's great fun the first time, but then the second time you see it doing the same."
With generative AI rapidly weaving itself into the fabric of thought and communication, mental health experts are calling for deeper examination—before dependence overshadows discernment.
Peer-support training expanded for adolescent mental health: Union ministry of health and family welfare, in collaboration with UNICEF and NIMHANS, launched "I Support My Friends", an add-on training module under the RKSK programme.
Designed to help adolescents recognize emotional distress, offer support, and connect peers to help, the module uses the Look, Listen, Link framework and interactive tools to foster empathy and resilience.
At the national consultation, Dr Pratima Murthy, MP deputy CM and health minister Rajendra Shukla and UNICEF experts emphasized the importance of youth-led mental health support and early intervention. Sessions highlighted rising challenges like anxiety, depression, digital addiction, and academic stress—and the urgent need to build safe spaces and reduce stigma.
The launch marks a step toward a more inclusive, community-based mental health system focused on prevention and empowerment, official said.
'Must know where use ends and addiction begins': NIMHANS, Bengaluru, director Dr Pratima Murthy, raised a clear warning about the blurred lines between technology use and dependency.
Excessive screen exposure could reduce attention span, impair memory, and aggravate underlying mental health conditions.
Addressing the challenges in regulating screen time, she noted, "We don't know where use ends and addiction begins."
Highlighting the cognitive risks associated with excessive exposure to digital tools, Dr Murthy pointed to growing cases of reduced attention span, memory problems, and diminished creative engagement. She cited experiences from NIMHANS' SHUT clinic, which treats adolescents facing challenges linked to compulsive screen use and behavioral addictions.
Key challenges and insights: Mental health experts present a clear picture of the issues facing young people in Madhya Pradesh and across India. The focus is on reaching diverse groups, using technology both as a tool and a challenge, and addressing deeper social and structural barriers. Their approach combines real-world data with on-the-ground experience for a well-rounded response.
The multi-stakeholder approach to adolescent mental health emphasizes community-based and school-based interventions, framing mental health as a social development concern rather than solely a health issue.
State-level initiatives in Madhya Pradesh, such as the TeleMANAS and Umang Program, demonstrate government commitment to prioritizing mental health alongside education and employment, particularly for adolescents facing unique challenges. The SHUT Clinic at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences serves as a specialized center addressing technology-related behavioral issues, highlighting the dual nature of technology as both beneficial and detrimental to mental health.
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