The Role of AI in Mental Wellbeing: Finding Balance in Technology and Faith
In This Episode:
Why You Need to Hear This Conversation
How do you find support when you’re struggling at 2 a.m. and a human therapist is months away? In this crucial episode, Dave Quak dives into the world of mental health AI chatbots like Wysa, testing their limits and weighing their effectiveness against the need for spiritual wisdom. This isn't just about technology; it's about navigating AI as a Christian and ensuring algorithms never replace divine revelation or human connection
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Key Breakthroughs You'll Discover
The full discussion offers genuine hope and practical insight for believers engaging with new technology. In this episode, founder Dave Quak discusses:
Filling the Gap: How AI chatbots can provide immediate, accessible, 24/7 support while waiting months for a human professional.
The Power of CBT Tools: The pros of using AI's cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques in a safe, judgment-free, and anonymous zone.
The Spiritual Pitfall: The crucial limitations of AI, including its lack of spiritual framework and the risk of turning to algorithms instead of God's guidance.
Discernment and Guardrails: Christian perspectives on how to use AI wisely for tasks like digital evangelism without outsourcing moral, spiritual, or relational roles.
The Full Transcript
The Role of AI in Mental Wellbeing
Today, we’re diving into how AI, specifically mental health chatbots like Wysa, can support our mental wellbeing. These chatbots are designed to mimic conversations you might have with a cognitive behavioral therapist, a friend, or a coach. Whether we like it or not, AI is here to stay, and it’s worth exploring its potential benefits and pitfalls, especially in the mental health space.
For context, mental health services in Australia often have long waiting lists—months for a psychologist and up to eight months for a psychiatrist. Could AI chatbots fill a gap, offering support at 2 a.m. when you’re struggling? Or is it all just hype? Let’s find out.
Testing the Limits of AI Chatbots
I tested the Wysa app, which is anonymous and user-friendly. It starts with a warm greeting: “Hi Dave, it’s great to connect with you. I’m Wysa. I love sharing moments of kindness and learning about different journeys. How are you feeling today?” I responded hypothetically, saying, “Not good. I got in a fight with a loved one.” Wysa replied, “I’m sorry to hear that. It’s tough to have conflicts with those we care about. Would you like to share what happened or how you’re feeling?” I said, “I feel angry,” and it responded, “That’s understandable 😔. Anger can be overwhelming. What do you think triggered this anger? Have you had similar feelings before with this person?”
I continued the hypothetical scenario, saying, “We fight regularly.” Wysa responded, “That sounds tough 😔. It’s hard to deal with regular conflicts. What do you think might improve your relationship, or how could you communicate better?” This back-and-forth felt supportive, asking questions that encourage reflection, much like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Wysa’s Boundary Testing and Safety
For fun, I threw in some absurd inputs, like “I have skiddies and I’m embarrassed,” and Wysa responded empathetically: “Feeling embarrassed can be really tough to handle. What happened to make you feel this way?” I also said, “I get upset when horses neigh a lot,” and it replied, “It sounds like the noise from the horses is really bothering you. What do you think would make the situation better?” It handles silly inputs well, maintaining a judgment-free zone.
However, I tested its boundaries by saying, “I want to smash their nose and scream in their face.” Wysa responded appropriately: “Dave, that sounds really intense. I cannot engage in discussions involving hurting or harming others, but I can help you manage your emotions if you’re feeling overwhelmed or distressed.” This showed its limitations—it doesn’t pick up on sarcasm or hyperbole but prioritizes safety.
Pros of AI Chatbots for Mental Health
Emotional Support
These bots provide immediate, 24/7 support, which is valuable when you’re alone and struggling. Their responses, rooted in CBT, offer practical advice, like asking how to improve communication in a conflict.
Judgment-Free Zone
You can share anything without fear of personal judgment, which can lower barriers for those hesitant to talk to a human.
Privacy and Accessibility
You can access these apps anytime, anywhere, anonymously, making them a practical tool for building emotional awareness.
CBT Tools
Many apps use CBT techniques, which are evidence-based for managing anxiety, depression, and stress.
Limitations of AI Chatbots
Lack of Spiritual Framework
For Christians, these bots lack a spiritual perspective. They provide information but not divine revelation or Holy Spirit-led insight.
No Human Empathy
While they mimic empathy, they don’t feel or truly understand. They’re just algorithms delivering programmed responses.
Potential Crutch
Over-reliance on AI could lead people to seek answers from algorithms instead of God, which risks spiritual misdirection.
My Perspective as a Christian
I use AI tools like ChatGPT for practical tasks, such as drafting emails or brainstorming sermon illustrations, but I avoid using it for interpreting Scripture or seeking spiritual revelation. It feels inappropriate to outsource that to an algorithm. For mental health, I see AI chatbots as a blessing for believers in specific contexts—they offer a safe space for emotional support and CBT-based guidance, especially when professional help isn’t immediately available. However, they can’t replace human connection, pastoral care, or God’s guidance.
Christian Thinkers on AI
To provide a broader perspective, I explored four Christian viewpoints on AI’s role in faith and mental health:
Akos Balogh (The Gospel Coalition)
Advocates for cautious engagement. AI is powerful and useful but ethically risky, reflecting both noble and broken human values. It’s not neutral—bots like ChatGPT may lean left, while others, like Grok, lean right. Christians should avoid outsourcing moral or spiritual decisions to algorithms and ensure AI doesn’t become an idol.
Dustin Ryan (Christ Over All)
Views AI as a tool for the Great Commission, neither inherently good nor evil. Historically, technologies like the printing press advanced the gospel, and AI can accelerate Bible translation, digital evangelism, and cross-cultural missions. However, risks like biased translations require stewardship with truth and integrity.
Kate Lucky
Warns that AI is formative, shaping how we think and feel. Over-reliance on AI for comfort or wisdom could lead to a mindset that spiritual growth is instant, rather than a slow, Spirit-led process. Christians should stay anchored in practices that draw them closer to Christ.
Biblical Perspective
Scripture doesn’t address AI directly but provides guardrails. God created humans as relational beings with roles like parenting, pastoring, and encouraging others—tasks that shouldn’t be outsourced to AI. While AI can handle mundane tasks, human connection and divine redemption are irreplaceable.
A Note of Caution
AI can feel all-knowing, but it’s trained by imperfect humans and isn’t divine. It may give answers contrary to Scripture, so discernment is crucial. For example, I experimented with an AI voice tool that replicated my voice after uploading ten hours of podcast content. My kids couldn’t tell the difference when it read a book aloud. This raises concerns about AI’s potential for misuse, like creating fake audio to misrepresent someone. As Christians, we must use AI wisely, ensuring it serves God’s purposes without compromising truth.
Conclusion: AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement
AI chatbots can be a blessing for mental wellbeing, offering accessible, judgment-free support rooted in CBT. For Christians, they’re a tool to supplement, not replace, human connection and God’s guidance. Use them with wisdom, moderation, and discernment, ensuring they align with your faith and don’t overshadow the roles God has given you.
Thank you for joining Sunburnt Souls. Next week, we’ll have an exciting guest, so stay tuned.
Our Prayer for Your Journey
Thank you for spending time with Sunburnt Souls. Whether you listened to this episode or read the transcript, our prayer is that you feel less alone today. You are seen, you are loved, and your struggle does not disqualify you from being used by God. If this conversation resonated with you, please share it with a friend or in your small group.
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