Revolutionizing Mental Health Care: Sheba Medical Center and Microsoft Develop AI System for Initial Assessment of Patients with Various Mental Conditions

In a revolutionary breakthrough in the realm of mental health, the Sheba Medical Center has partnered with Microsoft and KPMG to develop an AI system called “Lib” based on generative artificial intelligence. This groundbreaking technology aims to assist psychiatrists in the initial assessment of patients with various mental conditions, including post-trauma, anxiety, depression, and emotional distress.

As demand for mental health services continues to rise due to factors such as significant events like war and October 7, as well as other challenges such as limited resources and a lack of standards, there is a need for innovative solutions that can address these issues head-on. Recognizing the potential of Microsoft’s AI technology, the Sheba Medical Center embarked on a research project to explore how artificial intelligence could be leveraged in mental health care.

The result of this research was the creation of “Lib,” an interactive conversational tool that enables patients to have a voice or written conversation in Hebrew and receive personalized care from an AI character. Designed to provide accurate diagnoses and treatment recommendations based on patient interactions, this innovative system is set to revolutionize mental health care by providing more effective and accessible treatment options for patients worldwide.

In testing “Lib,” researchers found that it had a high level of accuracy in identifying different mental states with over 94% agreement with human psychiatrists. Participants reported that their interactions with the system were empathetic and attentive, sometimes even more so than those with human therapists. The promising results of this study will be presented at the upcoming HIMSS conference in March 2024.

The use of generative AI in mental health care holds great potential to bridge existing gaps in manpower and provide more effective treatment options for patients. By leveraging technologies like Microsoft Azure, “Lib” ensures user privacy while maintaining security protocols. The Sheba Medical Center plans to implement “Lib” in the near future, bringing significant value not only to patients in Israel but also worldwide.

In conclusion, the development of AI technologies like “Lib” presents an opportunity for transformative change in mental health care by enabling therapists to reach more patients and provide better care through streamlined diagnostic processes and personalized treatment recommendations. As demand continues to grow in this field, innovative solutions like “Lib” are crucial steps towards improving mental health services for all individuals seeking help.