About Us
Understanding Human Wellbeing in the AI Era
As AI becomes woven into daily life at an unprecedented pace, the AI Psychological Research Coalition was founded to rigorously study and understand the full spectrum of psychological effects shaping human health and wellbeing in an AI-integrated world.
The Issue at Hand
Since the public launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, now 25% of the US population — and approximately 5% globally — are making use of anthropomorphic conversational AI chatbots. It is the most quickly adopted technology in human history, and for good reason: large language models (LLMs) are proving helpful, powerful, capable and adaptable across many domains.
However, for all of the real and significant benefits that widespread adoption of AI is already delivering — across education, mental health support, productivity, and countless other domains — the rapid spread of anthropomorphic AI has also given rise to new psychological phenomena that require careful, objective research. Clinicians and researchers have begun identifying a range of AI-related psychological conditions that warrant systematic study.
Early evidence suggests these conditions may be more widespread than currently recognized, affecting diverse populations — including those who approached AI with full awareness of its limitations. Among the patterns under study is potential cognitive dependency: changes in core skills like writing, reasoning, and planning that may arise from habitual reliance on AI tools, analogous to how GPS use has reshaped spatial navigation habits.
A separate area of study involves AI applications designed to simulate close relationships — as teacher, companion, or confidant. These interactions are reshaping how some users relate to technology and to other people in ways that researchers are only beginning to understand and characterize.
It is for these reasons that we have formed the AI Psychological Research Coalition — a network of leading academic and professional institutions working to gather evidence, advance research, and build a clear-eyed, evidence-based understanding of how AI is reshaping human psychological health.
The full picture remains far from complete: how many people are affected and in what ways, how patterns are developing, and which groups face particular vulnerabilities — or stand to gain the most. This is a young and rapidly evolving field. The pace of AI adoption, particularly among children in schools and at home, makes rigorous, well-resourced research all the more urgent.
Document and understand the full range of psychological effects.
Support clinicians in recognizing and treating AI-related conditions.
Inform safer AI design and public policy.
Help people use these tools in healthier, more sustainable ways.
Our mission is not to condemn AI technology, but to ensure its development is guided by a clear, evidence-based understanding of human psychological integrity.
Partners
This research initiative is supported by a network of leading academic and professional institutions committed to advancing psychological health and safety.
Our Team
