Haber, Y., et al. (2024).
JMIR Mental Health, 11, e54781.
Abstract
This paper explores a significant shift in the field of mental health in general and psychotherapy in particular following generative artificial intelligence’s new capabilities in processing and generating humanlike language. Following Freud, this lingo-technological development is conceptualized as the “fourth narcissistic blow” that science inflicts on humanity. We argue that this narcissistic blow has a potentially dramatic influence on perceptions of human society, interrelationships, and the self. We should, accordingly, expect dramatic changes in perceptions of the therapeutic act following the emergence of what we term the artificial third in the field of psychotherapy. The introduction of an artificial third marks a critical juncture, prompting us to ask the following important core questions that address two basic elements of critical thinking, namely, transparency and autonomy: (1) What is this new artificial presence in therapy relationships? (2) How does it reshape our perception of ourselves and our interpersonal dynamics? and (3) What remains of the irreplaceable human elements at the core of therapy? Given the ethical implications that arise from these questions, this paper proposes that the artificial third can be a valuable asset when applied with insight and ethical consideration, enhancing but not replacing the human touch in therapy.
Here are some thoughts:
This article conceptualizes the rise of generative artificial intelligence as the fourth narcissistic blow to human identity by challenging our unique monopoly over language. The authors introduce the concept of the artificial third to describe how technology enters the therapeutic space, transforming traditional interpersonal relationships. For psychologists, this paper is important because it shifts the conversation from technical efficiency to fundamental existential and ethical questions about autonomy, transparency, and the irreplaceable nature of human empathy. Insightfully, the study highlights that while artificial intelligence can process text, it lacks a true mind or subjective lived experience. Psychologists must therefore understand that this technology cannot replace the profound, nonverbal, emotional resonance of human connection. Ultimately, the article serves as a critical warning that embracing technology without maintaining strict ethical boundaries risks depersonalizing the therapeutic bond and undermining the very foundation of psychological healing.
