At the APS Festival of Psychology 2025, Dr. Ben Buchanan delivered an insightful session on “Technology and Psychology,” exploring the profound impact of artificial intelligence on the field. Dr. Buchanan traced the evolution of measurement-based care, from Lambert’s groundbreaking 2005 study to the advent of computerised assessments in 2010 and its formal definition in 2015. He showcased NovoPsych’s innovative products, including the NovoNote AI Scribe, used by 75,000 psychologists globally to “empower clinicians with psychometrics and AI to improve client outcomes.” Buchanan introduced various assessment tools, such as the DASS-21 and the Valuing Questionnaire, demonstrating their effectiveness in tracking client progress and promoting holistic care.

AI-generated clinical notes, evaluated using the Physician Document Quality Instrument, often outperformed human-written ones in accuracy and consistency. Buchanan introduced NovoNote’s therapeutic letter template and customisable informed consent form, emphasizing the critical balance between innovation and ethical considerations, including HIPAA compliance and Australian Privacy Principles.

The session delved into misdiagnosis rates, revealing that 70% of bipolar disorder cases are initially misdiagnosed, with 33% remaining undiagnosed after a decade. Women with autism are frequently misdiagnosed with borderline personality disorder or eating disorders. Buchanan proposed AI solutions, including broad-spectrum screening questionnaires, real-time supervision, and novel approaches like reaction time testing in psychometrics.

Exploring AI’s role in empathy, the speaker acknowledged its capability in cognitive empathy while emphasizing the irreplaceable nature of human emotional and social empathy in therapy. Buchanan shared a compelling case study where the self-compassion scale revealed a client’s need for compassion-focused therapy, illustrating the value of diverse assessment tools.

Looking to the future, Buchanan discussed Bayesian and AI-assisted measures for client formulation and AI-powered analysis of facial expressions and heart rates during sessions. He introduced the concept of an AI-powered psychological education agent capable of detecting emotional shifts, promoting reflective activities, and alerting counselors to early warning signs. 

Buchanan didn’t shy away from addressing concerns. He noted the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s scrutiny of AI in diagnosis, advising caution in its direct diagnostic use. He also touched on the forensic implications of AI-generated transcripts, emphasising the need for careful consideration of what constitutes the official clinical record.

The session concluded with a balanced perspective on AI’s role in psychology. Buchanan emphasised its potential to enhance clinical decision-making while maintaining the crucial role of human empathy and judgment in therapy. He painted a future where technology and psychology work in harmony, leveraging AI to improve mental health outcomes while preserving the essential human touch that defines the therapeutic relationship.