The Role of AI in Wellness

Let’s dive into a hot topic both inside and outside of the wellness world: artificial intelligence (AI). Some of us are already using it and others aren’t so sure or may not know exactly how to use it. There’s a lot to debate, but one thing we can all agree on is that we need to know more about this emerging technology so that we can begin to understand its impact on ourselves and the populations we serve.

Speakers Carrie Jarosinski, R.N., DNP, CWP, CNE, and Julia Suzuki covered this topic in their sessions, “Ethical AI in Wellness: Maximizing Efficiency and Credibility for Wellness Professionals,” and “AI and Well-Being: Redefining What’s Possible,” at this year’s Annual Wellness Summit. Discussions included ethical considerations using the socioecological model and capabilities of this technology in the wellness field.

What Is AI?

We’ve been hearing a lot about AI... but what exactly is it? What began as a multidisciplinary field of study encompassing computer science, data analytics and statistics, hardware and software engineering, linguistics, neuroscience, philosophy and psychology has evolved to include a set of technologies that, simply put, enable computers to mimic human behaviors.

The rapidly growing technology that’s been dominating the news lately is generative AI, which brings together artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, and a bit of data science to create content (such as text, images, audio or video) by learning patterns from large datasets and user input. Popular generative AI programs include ChatGPT, Claude, Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot, to name a few. This technology promises some exciting capabilities for wellness professionals, but in order to ensure we are having a positive impact, we must understand it and be aware of the ethical considerations.

While programs like ChatGPT can perform certain tasks far faster than a human can, human interaction is still required. Generative AI creates based on information we have put into the world (true or false, good or bad) and is “taught” (or programmed) by humans. AI is always evolving, just like we as people are! That means we have to be aware of potential issues with generative AI, like hallucinations, bias and the use of copyrighted materials. It is also important to remember that this is a for-profit industry with little oversight and can leave individuals vulnerable to a loss of digital privacy and control.

Ethical Considerations

In terms of ethical considerations when using AI, there’s a lot to consider: transparency, fairness, inclusivity, privacy, safety and social benefits, oh my! Let’s break it down.

Societal Impacts

Perhaps the most tangibly negative impact this technology is having is on our environment. Powering this technology requires a lot of electricity, leading to increased carbon dioxide emissions and added pressures on the electric grid. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology notes that, “A great deal of water is needed to cool the hardware used for training, deploying, and fine-tuning generative AI models, which can strain municipal water supplies and disrupt local ecosystems.” As AI expands, hundreds of data data centers (and some giants like Project Rainier) are being built across the U.S., impacting the surrounding environment and local communities. Consider where these data centers are located. How are resources allocated? Who bears the burden?

There are also generational, location and income-based considerations. Folks of a certain age may have a fear of embracing and using AI or lack the knowledge to operate it. Attitudes and access to these technologies also highly depend on the country you live in, and paid vs. free subscriptions for these tools can create barriers to access.

Community Impacts

Ask any teacher or professor you know, and they will tell you we are struggling with AI use in schools. The big question is, how do we balance efficiency with individual learning? There is also a need to teach AI literacy skills that will be necessary for the future. We need to begin using AI as a tool rather than a crutch—If we rely on it too heavily, we risk diminishing content recall and critical thinking skills.

Relationship Impacts

Generative AI innovation has gotten so far as developing programs that offer a deep learning experience which adapts to an individual's preferences, leading some users to developing a parasocial connection to these programs. With AI conversation partners accessible 24/7, who needs friends? This is something to watch for as we discover the wider impacts of AI use on interpersonal relationships.

Legal Considerations

The National Library of Medicine of Medicine brings forth legal implications of AI use in health care and related fields. When utilizing AI for our work, we must consider legal challenges, including data privacy, error liability and intellectual property. The use of this technology in the health and wellness industry also raises questions of responsibility and fairness, particularly when it comes to the potential of amplified health care disparities. Wellness professionals must continually check that their AI use aligns with ethical and legal imperatives in order to maintain safe and equitable treatment for all.

Using AI

As wellness professionals, we add value to AI as content experts. If we are responsible and intentional, we can use these tools to amplify our human potential—not to replace us, but to empower who we are and what we do.

You can ensure you are using AI efficiently and ethically by:

• Being judicious and thoughtful in your use of resources
• Critically evaluating your purpose and the output—because humans can think critically, AI cannot
• Double checking the sources that are offered to confirm they are real, credible, unbiased and reliable.

Want to start using AI, but unsure how? An easy point of entry is using AI to assist with day-to-day administrative tasks, leaving you more time for the work that utilizes your expertise as a wellness professional, like strategizing your wellness initiative or working directly with clients. Consider the following ideas:

• AI notetakers
• Summarizing journal articles and finding new resources
• First drafts (blogs, presentations, outlines, cover letters, resume assistance, etc.)
• Templates for creative products
• Workflow processes in your website and calendar scheduling.
  

Conclusion

AI is, ultimately, a tool. In order to use it safely, effectively and responsibly, we must first understand its impact. When using AI to assist in your work, ask yourself: What choices can I make to mitigate risk and increase wellness in my community?

As wellness professionals, we serve a key role in the continuous discussion of ethical considerations as both artificial intelligence and the wellness industry evolve. To thrive in an AI-powered world, we must understand how it is shaping our lives and industry and take collective action to shape a future that prioritizes holistic well-being for all.

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  Rebecca Plier

  PR/Communications Specialist

  IFEBP

  Favorite Foundation Product: The Talking Benefits podcast! What an engaging way to get timely benefits insights.

  Benefits-related Topics that Interest Her Most: Mental health, diversity, equity and inclusion, and workplace wellness.

  Personal Insight: When Rebecca isn’t diving headfirst into the world of benefits, she enjoys organizing her monthly book club and expanding her vinyl record collection.