21/08/2026
At American Psychological Association Convention 2026, Dr. Charmain Jackman brought an important conversation to the room: AI, algorithmic bias, ethics, and equity for BIPOC communities.
With several AI-focused sessions happening at the same time, there was some uncertainty about how the conversation would be received. But the room was full, and psychologists came ready to engage.
The session explored questions our field can no longer afford to avoid:
❓ What do we ask when a client tells us they’re talking to ChatGPT more than their partner?
❓ How do we help parents recognize when a child’s AI use has crossed a line?
❓ What does responsible, equitable AI actually look like for the communities most impacted by these technologies?
The conversation went beyond whether psychologists should use AI. Instead, it centered on how we can understand it, talk about it with clients, and advocate for systems that are safer, more ethical, and more equitable.
We explored how AI is already shaping access to mental healthcare, the ways algorithmic bias can disproportionately impact BIPOC communities, the environmental and labor costs of AI, and the possibilities that emerge when the communities most affected by technology are also building it.
