The future is now…
Tev Zukor Ph.D.LCP, CGP
The future is now…and it may not be human. At least, that’s the take away message I got from a recent conversation in a Consultation Group in which I participate. The topic of discussion was Artificial Intelligence and the way in which it was already being used to streamline clinical reports and progress notes. One of the members of the group reported that she was already allowing A.I. to review session recordings (with full client consent, of course) and that the technology provided surprisingly good and accurate notes and reports; often with very little need for human intervention.
As any conversation about A.I. almost automatically does, the discussion quickly turned to the practicality, convenience, and ethical considerations of utilizing this new technology. As a result of the discussion, I brought the topic up to a few professors to get their thoughts. The professors shared that the “biggest impact” of A.I. so far in their work with students was having to become so-called “experts” at determining when a paper was written by the student or when the student used an A.I. “shortcut” to cheat the process of critical thinking. One professor said, “I never would have guessed that part of my job would be becoming a human/A.I. lie-detector; but I now spend just as much time doing that as I do teaching my class.”
As someone who likes to pretend to be knowledgeable and smart – especially in front of professors who literally make their living by utilizing those very same attributes – I wanted to contribute to the conversation. I told these professors that I write a regular column for a professional journal (Spoiler Alert: I was referring this this very column!) and initially thought about “bragging” that A.I. would never be able to replace me. However, against every fiber of my being, I did not say anything. Instead, I started to wonder, “Could A.I. actually replace me?” More importantly, could it do so right now? Am I actually about the be fired from a volunteer gig?
Instead of panicking – which would be my normal course of action – I put on my “scientist” hat and decided run a brief experiment. I logged into Gemini, which is Google’s version of A.I. I chose Gemini for the following reasons: it is free, it is readily available, and (surprise!) it is the first A.I. program to come up in a Google search. I then asked the engine to “Write a 50-word column about group therapy.” This is the result:
Group Therapy: A Shared Journey Group therapy offers a unique space to connect with others who share similar experiences. By sharing stories and offering support, members can gain valuable insights, reduce feelings of isolation, and develop coping strategies. The power of group dynamics can foster a sense of belonging and accelerate healing.
Hmm…factually accurate, but a bit dry. The A.I. column seems pretty decent for such a vague, nebulous prompt; but it definitely doesn’t have the snark or patented wry humor of yours truly (or at least that is what I tell myself so I can sleep at night.) So, then I added the following extra instruction to the Gemini engine: “Add more witty style.” This was the new result:
Group Therapy: Where Misery Loves Company (and It’s Actually Kind of Awesome) Let’s face it, sometimes life throws a curveball that even your best friend can’t hit out of the park. That’s where group therapy comes in. It’s like a support group for your mental health, except without the awkward icebreaker games. Imagine a room full of people who totally get why you’re binge-watching “Friends” for the fifth time this week. It’s a safe space to vent, laugh, cry, and realize you’re not alone in this crazy thing called life. So, if you’re feeling a bit lost, lonely, or just plain weird, consider joining a group therapy session. You might just find your new tribe of misfits.
Uh-oh!! This is getting closer to the mark and may one day cost me my position! Fortunately, when the computer adds wit, some of the truth gets sacrificed in the process. I don’t think many of us human group psychotherapists would use the above description when trying to sell or promote group even if it is more casually engaging than the first attempt. Calling potential group members misfits, even when done playfully, is probably not the best tact. Further, I know many excellent group therapists who DO use icebreakers at the start of their groups; even if that is certainly not my preferred style. Still, it’s clear I have something new to someday worry about.
Overall, despite the extremely small sample size, I am now willing to say with 100% certainty that the robots are not YET ready to take over for humans – at least in this very niche market of “writing a group psychotherapy column for Division 49.”
To test this final hypothesis, I made one last request of Gemini: “In one sentence, tell me why AI will never replace humans.” This is what it produced…and is something that both I and the machines seem to agree on – at least for now:
AI will never replace humans because it lacks the essential qualities of consciousness, empathy, and creativity that are uniquely human.