Bridging Mental Health and Artificial Intelligence for Global Impact: Launching the Global Center for AI in Mental Health
By Office of the President | Oct 17, 2023
On September 22, 2023, the SUNY Global Center in Manhattan hosted the “Bridging Mental
Health and AI for Global Impact” summit, uniting prominent global leaders in mental
health and artificial intelligence (AI). The event centered on discussions for launching
the Global Center for AI in Mental Health, a collaboration among the University at
Albany (UAlbany), SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University (Downstate), and the Health
Innovation and Investment Exchange (HiEX), an UN-affiliated organization. The summit
provided a platform for exchanging insights and ideas to produce influential partnerships
that substantially impact global mental health.
The summit commenced with a series of welcome remarks from distinguished individuals, including SUNY Provost-in-Charge and Senior Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation, Economic Development Shadi Shahedipour-Sandvik, Ph.D., University at Albany president Havidán Rodríguez, Ph.D., Downstate president Wayne J. Riley, M.D., and Pradeep Kakkattil, founder and CEO of HiEX.
New York State Deputy Secretary for Human Services and Mental Hygiene Jihoon Kim, LMSW, and United Nations Institute for Training and Research Executive Director Nikhil Seth delivered opening remarks stressing the need to develop innovative and accessible tools to address mental health challenges in the United States and globally.
The summit highlighted the Global Center for AI in Mental Health launch, led by Downstate Senior Vice President for Research David Christini, Ph.D., and UAlbany Vice President for Research and Economic Development Kesh Kesavadas, Ph.D. The summit featured informative lightning talks from UAlbany and Downstate faculty members, including Jacquelyn Meyers, Ph.D., and Salvador Dura-Bernal, Ph.D. – all actively involved in AI and mental health research–further emphasizing the global commitment to advancing mental health care.
The Global Center for AI in Mental Health will develop and use advanced AI tools to detect mental health conditions early, monitor patient progress, and impact ongoing care, particularly in regions with limited in-person professional resources. Leveraging complementary expertise of mental health, clinical research, and community engagement at Downstate along with the University at Albany’s extensive AI resources, public health, psychology, and social welfare expertise, the Center aims to address the needs of a diverse and underserved patient population and bridge critical gaps in mental health care.
The summit concluded with a thought-provoking reaction panel featuring international healthcare technology thought leaders who discussed the profound implications of AI in Healthcare. The focus was on how AI can be harnessed to benefit underserved communities, especially in the context of mental health care. The emphasis was on a thoughtful and deliberate approach to extending mental health benefits to those who need them most. The Global Center for AI in Mental Health is committed to fostering collaborations with experts, community organizations, and stakeholders globally, ensuring its continued efforts to make a meaningful impact in the mental health field.
Click here to learn more about the Global Center for AI in Mental Health.