Google AI clinical director says chatbot can serve as bridge for mental health crises

Google’s clinical director, Megan Jones Bell, told STAT that the company is working to make its Gemini chatbot a helpful resource for users experiencing mental health crises. She emphasized that the goal is to create a safer product experience rather than simply disabling the tool when concerns arise.

Bell explained that cutting off access to the chatbot could cause more harm than good, and that strengthening the connection to crisis support services is a more effective approach. The company aims to embed clear pathways to professional help within the AI interaction.

In response to growing scrutiny, Google has updated the Gemini app to prominently display links to crisis hotlines, ensuring users can quickly reach external assistance when needed.