AI & Social Robotics: Transforming Mental Healthcare's Future

Published Date: 03/07/2024

Explore the potential of AI and social robots in improving mental health outcomes, from diagnosis to treatment and beyond.

The World Health Organization estimates that nearly one billion people worldwide suffer from a mental disorder. However, the convergence of Social Robotics and Artificial Intelligence presents a groundbreaking opportunity to transform mental healthcare. Social robots, designed to interact with humans, can leverage AI to enhance mental health interventions. In education, elderly care, and healthcare, social robots have shown promise in implementing therapies that improve mental wellbeing. Despite this, the intersection of social robotics, AI, and mental healthcare poses many challenges and opportunities. 

To address these, research is needed to develop novel approaches that consider the social implications of mental disorders, available data, and the feasibility of collecting health-related data. Social robotics and data-centric AI can shed light on improving intervention mechanisms, diagnosing mental disorders at early stages, and treating and characterizing them. This Research Topic aims to consolidate and present novel contributions at the intersection of social robotics and AI, with applications to mental health disorders. 

Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit articles presenting theoretical and applied research, computational models, case studies, innovative applications, and systematic reviews characterizing the current state of the art. Areas of interest include social robots for mental healthcare, AI in social robots, affective computing models, cognitive architectures, human-robot interaction studies, and more. 

By exploring the potential of AI and social robots in mental healthcare, we can create a brighter future for millions of people worldwide.

FAQS :

Q: How many people worldwide suffer from a mental disorder?

A: According to the World Health Organization, nearly one billion people worldwide suffer from a mental disorder.

Q: What is the potential of social robots in mental healthcare?

A: Social robots have shown promise in implementing therapies that improve mental wellbeing, particularly in education, elderly care, and healthcare.

Q: What is the goal of this Research Topic?

A: The goal is to consolidate and present novel contributions at the intersection of social robotics and AI, with applications to mental health disorders.

Q: What areas of interest are included in this Research Topic?

A: Areas of interest include social robots for mental healthcare, AI in social robots, affective computing models, cognitive architectures, human-robot interaction studies, and more.

Q: Why is research in social robotics and AI important for mental healthcare?

A: Research in social robotics and AI can shed light on improving intervention mechanisms, diagnosing mental disorders at early stages, and treating and characterizing them. 

More Topics :