Episode #18
April 29, 2025

The Mental Health System Is Failing—Can AI Do Better? | Alison Darcy (Ep. 18)

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DecApCltczo/maxresdefault.jpg
Show Notes

In this episode of Life With Machines, Baratunde sits down with psychologist and entrepreneur Alison Darcy, who left academia to build a mental health chatbot that actually gets you. They break down why our mental health system is failing, how a talking robot might succeed where traditional therapy falls short, and what millions of late-night conversations with Woebot reveal about loneliness, generational struggles, and a healthcare system that’s resistant to change. Plus, BLAIR, the show’s AI co-producer, jumps in with a tough question about whether AI will be used to cut corners rather than care for people. Watch now for a conversation that’s raw, urgent, and unexpectedly full of hope.

————

Sign up for our newsletter

Follow us!

Instagram 

TikTok

Threads

LinkedIn

Work with Life With Machines: partnerships@voicingchange.media

Send Questions, Comments, or Ideas: contact@lifewithmachines.media

Write to Blair: blair@lifewithmachines.media

————

Created and Executive Produced by: Elizabeth Stewart and Baratunde Thurston

Executive Producer and Showrunner: Alie Kilts

Senior Producer and Writer: Alex Stone

Associate Producer: Layne Deyling Cherland

Video Editor: Junior Real

Videographer and Audio Engineer: Erik Shute

Theme Music: Andy Clausen

Special Envoy to the Machines: Peter Loforte 

Life with Machines is a Multiverses Media production

Sponsored by Lenovo 

#MentalHealth #AItherapy #FutureOfTherapy #MentalHealthCrisis #Chatbots #HealingWithAI #TechForGood #MentalHealthAwareness #AIinHealthcare #LifeWithMachines #Woebot

Browse Other Episodes

Episode #20

Podcast Cover Image

A Deepfake Stole My Face and Voice | Rich Roll (Ep. 20)

Episode #19

Podcast Cover Image

How to Raise a Kid in an AI World | Dr. Avriel Epps (Ep. 19)

Episode #18

Podcast Cover Image

The Mental Health System Is Failing—Can AI Do Better? | Alison Darcy (Ep. 18)