Experts: Dr. Juan Carlos Caro Seguel – Melissa Muñoz Flández
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics
Faculty of Pharmacy
Where are the HCI studies moving towards?
Research in human-computer interaction (HCI) has turned to understanding human phenomena arising from recent advances in generative artificial intelligence (e.g., chatbots). In particular, the main research lines are: (i) the definition and validation of reliable ethical standards, so there is an explicit recognition of the diversity of people in the world; (ii) the evaluation of the health and well-being effects associated with individual interactions with generative AI technologies; and (iii) the aggregate social impacts that derive from the mass-scale use of these technologies.
How do these technologies influence health and well-being?
Generative AI technologies, particularly their interactions with people, whether via voice, text, video, or other means, are a double-edged sword. They represent an opportunity to democratize access to information and provide support to minority groups, especially for isolated and/or impoverished people. However, their fluidity and naturalness can create an illusion of accompaniment and wisdom for many people, leading the user to mistakenly replace professional therapy or the support of their direct support network. Although they simulate empathy and are highly realistic, they lack clinical judgment, which can distort the user’s perception of reality and negatively affect emotional well-being if the interaction reinforces harmful behaviors rather than healthy ones.
What are the risks that are observed?
The risks are incredibly high, as has been proven in recent real-life cases, where it has reinforced suicidal ideations, provided unsafe guidance, or triggered paranoia. The risks have spread rapidly due to significant regulatory gaps that allow vulnerable users to interact with these systems without clinical supervision. In addition, the biases inherent in generative AI models can perpetuate historical prejudices and exclusions, and they may fail to communicate safely with neurodivergent people. The lack of accountability in these systems exacerbates the negative impact on families, communities, and the health system.
Last modified: 20 de mayo de 2026
