Technology and AI in Psychological and Behavioural Intervention

There has been huge growth in the use of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in behavioural interventions. As digital innovations evolve and become more widespread, psychologists should be at the forefront of these developments, both from the perspective of ethics and evidence. 

Digital technologies can be used to inform and educate the public, support and train care providers, and provide remote and self-care to individuals. In 2022, the WHO stated there needs to be a global transformation to promote mental health care for all, and scale up care for common mental health conditions. Psychologists should be deeply involved in the digital transformation of these educational, psychological and behavioural interventions.  

This learning is designed to provide an overview of the current state of technological application within behavioural interventions. For example, in health and coaching contexts in North America, behavioural science is used in product design as standard; and many psychological and behavioural interventions are delivered using digital technology. 

Psychologists who deliver behavioural interventions, or are involved in designing and testing behavioural interventions. Innovation in technology impacts behavioural interventions across the scope of psychology, though this learning has a stronger focus on health and wellbeing contexts.  This CPD is useful for individuals who want to understand more about technology-augmented and technology-delivered behavioural interventions in health and well being contexts. 

• Understand how technology and AI can be used to scale behavioural interventions 

• Identify the role of technology in the learner’s own practice and context 

• Understand how behavioural science can inform the development of behavioural interventions in technology 

• Differentiate between technology-augmented interventions and interventions delivered wholly through technology 

• Assess the ethical considerations related to technology and AI use in digital behavioural interventions. 

Dr Rachael Skews is a chartered psychologist, and an advisor to health tech organisations looking for technology-augmented behavioural interventions. She was the scientific lead for innovation at Headspace Health. She designs technology-augmented and technology-delivered behaviour change content using evidence-based models of change. She is an international expert in Acceptance and Commitment Coaching.  

Rachael’s research focuses on performance, development and health-related coaching. She has investigated the effectiveness of coaching interventions informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. This included testing the processes (or mechanisms of change) through which coaching works.   Rachael was the Programme Director for the MSc in Occupational Psychology and PGCert in Coaching programmes at the Institute of Management Studies (IMS) at Goldsmiths, University of London. She was also the convenor for postgraduate research at the IMS. 

Rachael is an Associate Fellow of the BPS, and a member of the BPS Divisions of Occupational Psychology and Coaching Psychology. She is a Director of the International Society for Coaching Psychology, a Fellow of the Centre for Evidence Based Management, and an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.