THE IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF HIGHER MEDICAL EDUCATION STUDENTS

Abstract

In recent years, the mental disorder rate among the population of the European region has increased, according to World Health Organization reports. There is a hypothesis that states that artificial intelligence (AI) based technologies implied into different kinds of human activity (particularly in higher education) might have an impact on mental health. A series of studies point out numerous positive features of AI use. Some authors consider enhanced creativity in solving complicated tasks from short-term use of AI. Moreover, one of the advantages of AI users could be the opportunity to acquire skills in information search and filtering for finding the best solution to a problem. At the same time, the mental health affection by AI is still unclear. The aim of the current work was the estimation of AI impact on the mental health of medical university students. Sociological surveys and descriptive methods were used, and 78 students from Kharkiv National Medical University (KNMU) were involved in our research. The survey was carried out with a special Google Forms questionnaire. Emotional intelligence assessment was done by N. Hall’s test. The reasons for persisting mood depression among AI users were determined by situational case solving. Exploration status of each issue was assessed by analysis of 20 domestic and foreign professional publications. Memory impairment and lowering of concentration, as well as the integral emotional intelligence and empathy index were detected among AI users. Also, there was persistent mood depression among respondents, which means a decrease of motivation for study as a result. Together with the mentioned problems, a decrease in learning abilities based on informational overload was stated by respondents as they were unable to concentrate on key parts of study material. A part of the respondents reported on the development of the addiction to their devices with AI-based applications. Besides the individual problems, the respondents pointed out the worsening of social interaction and breaking out of conflicts in academic groups. Insufficient and ineffective communication can lead to misunderstandings and quarrels during group task performance. Another important effect of prolonged AI use included the decrease in students’ cognitive abilities and loss of interest in task completion. A negative impact of prolonged AI use on medical students’ mental health can be considered. Also, the obtained data allows supposing the signs of gadget addiction. Additionally, conflict situations emerged in academic groups due to social interaction disturbance.