AI’s profound impact on the world

These days, artificial intelligence (AI) is a common topic of conversation with strong—but not always recognized—connections to psychology. These connections to psychology often fall into two broad categories, both of which require our field to be proactive and strategic.

First, AI will have a profound impact on every aspect of our field. Whether you provide mental health services, conduct research, teach, consult, or facilitate the application of psychological science in different settings, industries, or systems, AI will affect what we do and how we do it. We already see evidence of this disruption taking place around issues like scholarly publishing, complex statistical analyses, and the precision and efficiency of psychological assessment. The advancement of AI offers extraordinary opportunities for innovation, and we do not have the luxury of shying away. Instead, we must position ourselves to shape and evolve along with these technologies. We must demonstrate that, as a field, we serve in a wide range of important roles that can be supplemented—but not supplanted—by AI.

Additionally, psychological science can inform the development and use of AI. Every area of psychology can and should contribute—human factors, cognitive, social, developmental, and more. We can use our scientific understanding to help AI minimize algorithmic biases and bring a human-centered perspective to its safe and effective design. We have expertise on issues like ethics and the psychology of privacy to ensure that AI is promoting positive outcomes, not generating harm or fueling manipulation. This provides a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate the breadth of our field by fully engaging in this evolving topic, intentionally seeking out opportunities to apply our science and knowledge to AI, and elevating the invaluable role psychology plays.

As an association, APA is taking a multipronged approach to AI—both supporting the adaptation of our profession and discipline and infusing psychology into the global conversation. I hope you will help us embrace the unprecedented possibilities before us.