Generative AI in psychiatric education: balancing risks and benefits for responsible integration
TL;DR
The goal is not to deter innovation but to ensure that GenAI tools enhance rather than replace the clinical judgment, empathy, and professional accountability that lie at the heart of psychiatric practice.
Abstract
Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) chatbots, including ChatGPT and DeepSeek, are rapidly reshaping psychiatric education across the continuum from medical students to practicing psychiatrists. These tools offer learners unprecedented opportunities for personalized learning, clinical simulation, and research support. However, their integration also raises substantial risks related to data privacy, content reliability, over reliance on automation, and ethical and regulatory gaps. This perspective argues that neither uncritical adoption nor outright rejection is appropriate. Drawing on emerging evidence and our firsthand experience as psychiatric educators, we propose a balanced framework characterized by three interconnected principles: strong human oversight, comprehensive AI literacy training, and robust institutional governance. We outline five categories of risk, discuss potential benefits specific to psychiatric training, and offer six actionable institutional recommendations. The goal is not to deter innovation but to ensure that GenAI tools enhance rather than replace the clinical judgment, empathy, and professional accountability that lie at the heart of psychiatric practice.