Stance on AI

Hey folks! Great question - before we get into A New Chapter Therapy's policies around AI, let's get on the same page about definitions real quick.

Predictive AI: A system that makes predictions based on previous data from a specific data set (a.k.a your phone predicting what you'll type next based on your most frequently used words, or even spellcheck!)

Generative AI: A system that generates images, texts, video, and other media based on data sets gathered of different kind of media, often without consent, from people (a.k.a. large language models such as Claude or ChatGPT).

What is Dr. Swecker's stance?

I am firmly anti-generative AI. When it comes to therapy, generative AI has no place.

The electronic health record system (EHR) I use, SimplePractice, does offer AI assistance as an optional paid add on. I do not pay for or want to use any of these add-ons.

I'm firmly anti-generative AI because of how unethical it is (to me) and the total lack of regulation around it right now. On top of that, I just prefer good old-fashioned human connection. So, I will never use AI for things like:

• Customer service (I hate when I can't get a person on the phone!)

• Writing case notes or treatment plans (I can do that myself).

• Summarizing sessions (I can also do that myself, thanks).

I do use predictive AI. Spellcheck is a very handy tool. Other things I currently use that could be considered predictive AI include:

• Setting up certain filters for my emails for them to go into specific inboxes upon receiving them (I have ADHD and emails are my personal nightmare).

• Spreadsheets with formulas that I set up myself to do certain things, like how much to put aside for taxes or how many Kleenex boxes I have left (I'm autistic and like spreadsheets a LOT, can you blame me?).

In the future, I will likely lean more into predictive AI, which again serves a specific function and is trained on a specific data set, to make my business tasks more efficient on the back end. I'll always be as transparent as I can where AI is concerned. I will NEVER use generative AI - why would I? I can do all the things it offers more quickly and accurately. 

This page will continue to be updated so that you know what I use and where I stand - because you deserve to know if your data is being fed into AI.