People show growing comfort with AI for counselling and teaching
AI tools gain trust for daily use as users value their accessibility, personalised responses, and non-judgmental interaction, raising questions about limits.
A global survey of nearly 31,000 adults across 35 countries has revealed rising public trust in AI for roles traditionally handled by humans. In the UK, 41% of adults said they would be comfortable using ChatGPT for mental health support, while 61% expressed the same globally.
Experts note the appeal of AI’s non-judgmental tone and 24/7 availability, although cautioning that it cannot replace professional care.
The study also found that a quarter of UK adults would trust AI to teach their children, and 45% of people globally would rely on AI as their doctor.
Researchers warned that overreliance on AI in education could harm memory and cognitive development, potentially affecting the hippocampus, which is critical for learning and spatial awareness.
Trust in AI was strongest in social contexts. Over three-quarters of respondents globally, and more than half in the UK, said they would use AI chat tools as companions or friends.
The research team suggested that adaptive tone and private conversations give users a sense of security and personalised support.
Researchers emphasised the need for greater awareness of AI’s limitations. While generative AI is becoming integrated into daily life, caution is urged, particularly for education and health roles, until the long-term cognitive and social impacts are better understood.
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