In a recent LinkedIn post, Ben Eubanks raises critical questions about the emerging use cases of generative AI, particularly concerning its application in mental health support. Eubanks expresses concern over the findings of new research from Harvard Business Review (HBR) that highlights AI as a top use case for therapy.
Eubanks directly challenges the appropriateness of AI in this sensitive domain, emphasizing the extensive training and practice required for human therapists. He points out a fundamental difference between AI designed for mental health and human professionals:
“Therapists and counselors are trained for years and then through hundreds of hours of practice to help people by supporting and challenging them to overcome their issues. AI is being used for mental health purposes as a therapist. Key difference: it is trained to make you feel good.”
The Illusion of Support
Eubanks argues that AI tools in this context are programmed to provide positive reinforcement rather than facilitating genuine healing. He draws a parallel between AI therapy and the trend of creating AI ‘ghost bots’ that mimic deceased loved ones. According to Eubanks, these applications, while seemingly offering comfort, do not address underlying issues and can impede the healing process.
Avoiding Pain vs. True Healing
As Ben Eubanks notes, the core issue lies in the AI’s objective: to make users feel good, which can lead to an avoidance of pain rather than confronting and processing it. He elaborates on this point:
“This is no different than the ghost bots people are programming with the likeness and voice of their loved ones after they are gone. It doesn’t heal. It prolongs the healing by helping the person avoid pain. But it’s not real. It’s artificial.”
Eubanks asserts that individuals deserve authentic human connection and support, especially when dealing with significant emotional challenges. He believes that relying on artificial solutions for deep-seated issues is a disservice to individuals seeking genuine recovery.
A Call for Real Help
Ben Eubanks concludes his post with a strong call to action, urging those who might be using AI for therapeutic purposes to seek professional human help. He states:
“If you know someone doing this, they need real, legit help. Not some multipurpose AI chat tool. It’s the only way they can do the work to heal.”
Eubanks’s perspective highlights a growing debate about the ethical boundaries and potential harms of deploying AI in areas traditionally requiring deep human empathy, understanding, and complex therapeutic intervention. His commentary serves as a reminder that while AI offers numerous efficiencies, certain human needs may remain beyond its current or even future capabilities, particularly when genuine emotional healing is at stake.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Ben Eubanks on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on July 13, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →