AI mental health chatbots feel empathetic, but safety evidence still lags

A new scoping review reports that AI-powered mental health chatbots are often experienced by users as accessible, personal, and empathetic, suggesting substantial promise for scalable support in anxiety and depression care. However, the authors emphasize that evidence on long‑term safety, sustained use, and real‑world clinical effectiveness remains limited, highlighting the need for more rigorous trials and adverse‑event reporting.