Stockholm University study: AI feedback nearly as effective as human therapists in alleviating social anxiety

A randomized controlled trial involving Stockholm University in Sweden showed that among 263 adults with social anxiety symptoms undergoing 9 weeks of online cognitive behavioral therapy, AI feedback reviewed by psychologists and human therapist feedback were similarly effective in alleviating social anxiety, with no significant differences found on the social phobia scale assessment. The study also concealed the true source of the feedback from some participants, finding that although participants had higher expectations of human therapists, most had difficulty accurately distinguishing after treatment whether the feedback came from AI or a human. The results have been published in the online journal Internet Interventions.