Woebot, a groundbreaking AI therapy chatbot, is set to shut down on June 30. Industry experts suggest the closure is a response to the difficulties of providing effective mental health care and managing safety issues in the digital space.
Launched in 2017, Woebot was hailed as the “future of therapy” as access to in-person mental health services became increasingly difficult worldwide. The chatbot, backed by millions in funding, received significant recognition when it earned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Breakthrough Device Designation in 2021. This designation was for Woebot’s postpartum depression service, WB001, which combined cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychotherapy delivered through the bot’s conversational interface.
Woebot Health, the company behind the app, expanded its offerings over time. It launched a subscription-free chatbot and specialized services aimed at teens. Additionally, it provided tools that users could use independently or alongside traditional therapy. In 2023, Woebot’s creator and clinical psychologist, Alison Darcy, was recognized in TIME magazine’s list of the 100 most influential figures in AI.
“It’s an emotional assistant that’s there for you in tricky moments and always has your best interest at heart,” Darcy said in an interview.
Designed to fill gaps in traditional therapy, Woebot aimed to assist people on long waitlists or those between appointments. Studies showed the chatbot was effective in easing symptoms of anxiety and depression when used as intended.
Users were informed of Woebot’s closure via email and were given the option to download their chat logs. The company reassured users that their data would remain private.
Despite its innovative approach and the presence of clinicians in Woebot’s development, its closure highlights the broader challenges of AI-driven mental health care. Researchers point out that while chatbots can benefit people with mental health concerns, they also raise significant ethical issues, including the replacement of human experts, concerns over data security, and the need for an adequate evidence base.
A 2023 study noted that although AI chatbots like Woebot showed promise, they might also isolate those seeking support. However, other studies have shown that people continue to turn to AI platforms like ChatGPT and Claude for mental health guidance, often using them as digital life coaches.
Since its launch, Woebot has been used in over 120 countries and facilitated more than two million conversations. As the first of its kind, it helped users form real, personal connections with their digital mental health provider. A 2021 study found that these digital interactions challenged the belief that therapeutic bonds could only be built through human contact.
Woebot Health, which has raised $123 million in funding, has yet to comment on the reasons behind the shutdown. The company’s decision to close the app remains unclear.
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