The Western Australia government has approved Australia’s first clinically designed AI mental health chatbot assistant, Reeboot AI, under its Artificial Intelligence Assurance Framework.
Across Australia, statistics show there’s a significant and rising need for mental health support in the country, with many facing barriers to access.
But, AI in the mental health space continues to spark debate, with some experts raising ethical concerns and emphasising the vital role of the therapy-based relationships.
However, Reboot Co-founder, Vishal Maharaj, states “we’re not trying to replace therapists,” saying they are developing a new level of support to meet a growing need.
Full statement by Australian Psychological Society – CEO Dr Zena Burgess
Image: Source: Pexels – mikoto.raw Photographer
Produced By: Jordan Zerella
Featured In Story: Vishal Maharaj – Registered Psychologist and Co-Founder of Reboot, Dr. Simon D’Alfonso – Lecturer in the School of Computing and Information Systems, and Australian Psychological Society – CEO Dr Zena Burgess
First aired on The Wire, Thursday 10 July 2025