# Artificial intelligence in psychotherapy: a new frontier or a threat to humanity?

Psychotherapy, for a long time considered exclusively the sphere of human interaction, is transforming today under the influence of the rapid development of AI. Chatbots, self-help apps, and remote counselling platforms based on machine learning algorithms are slowly entering our lives, promising new opportunities in mental health. But how useful are these innovations, and what risks do they carry?

## Accessibility and personalization: The benefits of AI in psychotherapy

One of the main benefits of AI in psychotherapy is accessibility. Conventional therapy is often limited by geographic barriers, high cost, and lack of skilled professionals. AI tools, by contrast, can provide 24/7 support tailored to a user's individual needs at a significantly lower cost, and in some cases at no cost.

Apps using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) have shown effectiveness in combating depression and anxiety disorders by offering structured programs and personalized tasks. For example, [Woebot](https://spectrum.ieee.org/woebot) Health provides a CBT-based chatbot that helps users deal with negative thoughts and emotions. Users interact with Woebot via text messages, receiving real-time support and recommendations.

Another example is [Wysa](https://www.wysa.com/for-individuals), which offers an AI assistant for support in everyday life. The app provides more than 200 digital self-help tools, including mindfulness exercises, breathing practices, and relaxation techniques. Wysa also offers the ability to communicate with qualified professionals for additional support.

### Specialist support: AI as an assistant, not a replacement

AI can help psychotherapists in their work. Algorithms are able to analyze large amounts of data, identifying patterns in patient behavior that may be overlooked by humans. This allows specialists to more accurately diagnose problems, develop personalized treatment plans, and track progress. In addition, AI can automate routine tasks such as record-keeping and reporting, freeing up time for deeper patient interactions.

Spring Health uses AI to personalize psychotherapeutic care. Their platform analyzes patient data to find the most appropriate treatments and specialists. This helps to reduce waiting times and increase the effectiveness of therapy.

### Empathy as a non-programmable quantity

But for all the efficiency of algorithms, the key question remains: can AI replace human understanding and empathy? Psychotherapy is not just the application of techniques, but the process of establishing a deep, trusting connection between two people.

AI can recognize the tone of speech, choose the right exercise, but it does not "feel" pain, doubt, or guilt. It doesn't interpret silence, it doesn't pick up semitones, it doesn't make a genuine connection. As psychotherapist Laurie Gottlieb said, "a person's presence and attention is something that heals, not an algorithm".

Philosophically, the question here is: can psychotherapy without a person be truly therapy, or does it become only an improved form of self-help?

## Risks: privacy, addiction, and the illusion of help

AI in psychotherapy is associated with several dangers:

1. Copyright/IP Policy. Psychotherapeutic sessions contain sensitive information, and leaks or breaches of systems can be devastating. For example, in 2023, there was a large-scale scandal with data leakage from the BetterHelp application - more than 7 million users were at risk.
2. Dependence on technology. If a person begins to rely solely on a chatbot, this can weaken their motivation to develop communication skills, self-reflection, and real interaction. "Pattern psychotherapy" appears, where depth is replaced by speed.
3. Security illusion. Some users may perceive AI as a complete replacement for a therapist without realizing the limitations of the technology. But AI has no right to diagnose, it is not responsible - it can be dangerous in crises.

## The future of psychotherapy

The future of psychotherapy likely lies in a symbiosis of human experience and artificial intelligence capabilities. AI will be used to increase access to care and make treatments more effective, while maintaining the centrality of the human therapist and their capacity for empathy and understanding.

It is important to develop ethical standards and regulations for the use of AI in psychotherapy to ensure the safety and effectiveness of such tools. More research also needs to be done to assess the long-term effects of AI use in mental health.

Ultimately, artificial intelligence can be a powerful tool in the psychotherapy arsenal, but it should not replace the human interaction that underpins effective treatment.

What are the pros and cons of AI in psychotherapy?

AI against anxiety: how GPT models are becoming next-generation therapists

# What’s happening to AI startups after the 2024 boom?

Just a year ago, it seemed like the world of artificial intelligence was experiencing a golden age. Dozens of new AI startups were emerging every week: some promised to forever change office work, others — to rewrite the rules of business, and some — to simplify life for every person on the planet. It felt like simply adding the word "AI" to a project could instantly attract millions of dollars in investment.\
But the beginning of 2025 painted a very different picture. Somewhere between the headlines about new models and polished presentations, reality started to falter. The flow of money slowed. Startups began shutting down. Investors became more cautious.\
What happened? And what lies ahead for AI startups?

## It all started with a gold rush

Understanding the situation begins with what happened in 2024.\
It truly was a year of madness. Huge language models became available to everyone. Companies raced to integrate neural networks into their products. Ambitious plans were announced at the governmental level: from national AI development programs to integrating the technology into courts, hospitals, and schools.\
This wave gave rise to hundreds of new projects. Often they were driven by talented people. Sometimes — by those who simply knew how to catch the moment.\
But alongside this excitement, another reality emerged: many startups hastily built solutions without checking whether the market actually needed their technology. Some created yet another tool for writing emails; others — assistants for resume building. There were too many such products, and users quickly grew tired.\
When the novelty wore off, it turned out that not every AI application was truly necessary.

![Image from kitrum.com](img/failure-rate-1024x762.jpg "Image from kitrum.com")

Image from [kitrum.com](https://kitrum.com/blog/why-do-ai-startups-fail-5-lessons-learned-from-startup-failures/)

## When technology outpaced reality

In 2025, what was bound to happen sooner or later finally did: the market started cooling down. Investors who, just half a year earlier, were signing checks without fully reading pitch decks, began asking uncomfortable questions: How many real customers do you have? How are you planning to make money? What is the cost of implementation?\
It turned out that creating a prototype based on ready-made models was one thing, but building a sustainable business model was quite another. AI products demanded constant updates, investments in infrastructure, and solutions to legal issues related to data.\
Some startups folded without even reaching a second product version. Others quietly sold off for modest sums or went underground, trying to find a new niche.

But to say that the market is dead would be a huge mistake.\
Amid the chaos, another trend began to emerge: those who had been building technologies to solve real problems — not just to ride the hype — started to survive.\
Companies like Anthropic, which focused on system safety, became especially in demand among financial and healthcare clients.\
Perplexity AI proved that high-quality information search is far from a solved problem — it's a vast field for innovation.\
Young teams working on open models, such as Mistral AI, attracted a whole community of developers eager to grow new products together.\
The surviving AI startups became quieter. Less buzz, more real-world cases. They focused on narrow tasks: automating specific processes, smart data handling, and building efficient personal assistants for specific industries.

### How the rules changed for investors

Investors evolved too.\
They no longer want stories about how a startup will "change everything forever." They are looking for projects that can demonstrate tangible results — even if it's small but steady growth.\
It became fashionable not to promise revolutions, but to calmly say, "We automate accounting data processing for small businesses and earned $500,000 in six months."\
Those who can deal with reality became easier to spot. These are the startups now getting funded, hiring people, and growing — perhaps not at the dizzying speeds of last year, but much more confidently.

### New trends are emerging on the horizon

Universal AI products are giving way to niche solutions: for healthcare, legal services, construction. There is growing demand for systems that can act independently — not just respond to questions but truly perform tasks from start to finish.\
Finally, the issue of regulation is becoming more pressing. Businesses now understand that solutions must be built with data protection, ethics, and algorithm transparency in mind. Those who ignore this quickly lose client trust.

## What awaits AI in 2025: New trends

While some startups are shutting down, others are adapting to the new market expectations. And in 2025, clear trends are already visible that will shape the future of AI.

1. **The Era of AI Agents**\
   The main trend of 2025 is the shift from "smart assistants" to autonomous AI agents.\
   These are no longer just chatbots or text generators. Agents can plan tasks, make decisions, and execute them from start to finish without human intervention. And not just in experimental settings, but in real business operations — like marketing, CRM management, or internal process automation.\
   (You can read more about AI agents' potential in the latest review by The Cymes: *[What Are AI Agents and How They Are Changing Business Processes](https://thecymes.com/article/smart-fast-and-indispensable-why-ai-agents-are-the-future)*.)
2. **A Shift from "Text and Images" to Actions**\
   It's no longer enough just to generate text, images, or code. In 2025, there’s a growing demand for AI solutions that can act: manage workflows, take initiative, and interact with systems without constant user prompts.
3. **Specialization Over Universality**\
   Universal models are moving to the background. Startups offering narrow but deep solutions for specific industries — healthcare, finance, logistics, law — are winning.\
   This allows them to quickly demonstrate real product value — and makes it easier to attract and retain customers.
4. **The Growing Importance of Trust and Ethics**\
   Issues of privacy, data reliability, and algorithm transparency are no longer just about reputation — they are becoming critical business factors.\
   Companies are increasingly choosing solutions that proactively address ethical standards and offer data security guarantees.

![Image by Pexels](img/pexels-goumbik-577210-3-.jpg "Image by Pexels")

Image by Pexels

## What’s next?

The AI market is not disappearing.\
The early years’ naivety — the belief that neural networks would solve all humanity’s problems — is fading. A new philosophy is taking hold: AI is just a tool. A powerful, promising tool — but one that requires conscious, careful use.\
For startups, this means one thing: it’s no longer enough to win with hype alone. Those who can identify real problems and build simple, reliable solutions for them will succeed.\
And perhaps, that’s the best thing that could have happened to the industry after the 2024 boom.

After the 2024 AI startup boom, the market is undergoing a major shift. Hype is fading, investors are demanding real results, and only startups solving real-world problems are thriving. Discover why the era of AI agents, industry-specific solutions, and ethical AI is reshaping the future — and what it means for startups and investors in 2025.

What’s Happening to AI Startups After the 2024 Boom?

The Global State Of Responsible AI In Enterprise 

Discover more insights on The Cymes!

# The future of AI: Why AI agents will dominate by 2025

As AI continues to evolve, one of the most exciting advancements is the rise of AI agents—smart systems that can work independently to assist with tasks and improve industries. By 2025, AI agents will play a major role in shaping new technologies, making a big impact across different fields. In this article, we’ll explore key trends, major companies involved, real-world applications, and the challenges that come with AI agents.

## **Understanding AI agents**

AI agents are software entities that can act on behalf of users to perform tasks based on their instructions. These agents use machine learning, natural language processing, and advanced algorithms to understand, learn from, and adapt to their environment. The goal is to automate tedious tasks, streamline processes, and enhance user experience.

### Key characteristics of AI agents

1. **Autonomy**: AI agents can operate independently, making decisions based on data analysis and predefined criteria.
2. **Learning Capabilities**: These agents learn from interactions and data, allowing them to improve their performance over time.
3. **Integration**: AI agents can connect with various systems and platforms, enabling seamless interactions across different applications.

![Photo from FreePik](img/people-robots-getting-job-flat-vector-illustration-robots-business-people-standing-line-be-interviewed-work-age-technology-innovation-recruitment-employment-concept_74855-23127.jpg "Photo from FreePik")

Photo from FreePik

## Predictions for 2025

### 1. Meta's shift to monetization

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is expected to start charging businesses for the use of its Llama AI model. While currently free, this model is set to become a revenue-generating asset as the costs associated with developing AI technologies continue to rise. This shift reflects a broader industry trend toward monetizing advanced AI tools. Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has hinted at the need for companies with substantial user bases to contribute financially, especially as the costs of maintaining cutting-edge AI models grow into the billions.

### 2. The importance of scaling laws

Scaling laws are crucial for understanding how AI models perform as they grow in size and complexity. Initially proposed by OpenAI, these laws suggest that increasing model parameters, training data, and computational power leads to improved performance. However, recent findings indicate diminishing returns on performance as models become larger. This could shift the focus of research from simply scaling up existing models to exploring new architectures and data types, including robotics and biological data.

### 3. Shifts in AI governance

The political landscape in the U.S. is likely to influence AI development significantly. With the potential return of Donald Trump to power, the relationship between government and technology firms, particularly those in AI, could evolve. Elon Musk’s involvement in AI will likely shape policy directions, especially concerning safety regulations and ethical standards. This could lead to a more cautious approach to AI deployment, emphasizing the need for robust safety measures.

### 4. The emergence of universal web proxies

Imagine a scenario where you no longer need to interact directly with the internet for everyday tasks. AI agents will take on the role of universal web proxies, managing everything from paying bills to booking appointments. This concept has been in development for years, but advancements in language and visual models suggest that 2025 could mark the year when these agents become mainstream. Companies like Adept are leading the charge, aiming to create seamless experiences for users.

### 5. AI data centers in space

As the demand for energy-efficient data centers increases, innovative solutions are being explored, including placing AI data centers in space. With the world’s data centers projected to double energy consumption by 2026, moving computing resources to space could offer numerous advantages, such as access to unlimited solar energy and natural cooling. Companies like Lumen Orbit are already working on building a network of space-based data centers to facilitate AI model training.

## The impact of AI agents on various sectors

### 1. Consumer sector

AI agents are set to revolutionize the consumer experience. From personal shopping assistants who understand your style to intelligent travel planners who can find the best deals, these agents will make our lives easier and more efficient.

Imagine an AI agent that curates a personalized shopping list for you based on past purchases and current trends, saving you time and effort.

### 2. Business operations

In the business realm, AI agents will streamline operations, automate repetitive tasks, and enhance decision-making. Companies will increasingly rely on these agents for customer service, data analysis, and project management.

An AI agent could handle customer inquiries, troubleshoot issues, and escalate concerns to human representatives, improving overall service efficiency.

### 3. Healthcare

AI agents could play a pivotal role in healthcare, from managing patient records to providing personalized treatment recommendations based on individual data.

An AI agent could analyze a patient’s medical history and suggest preventive measures, enhancing health outcomes and reducing hospital visits.

### 4. Education

In education, AI agents will facilitate personalized learning experiences, adapting to individual student needs and preferences.

An AI tutor tailors lessons based on a student’s learning pace, helping them grasp complex concepts more effectively.

### 5. Transportation

AI agents will enhance the transportation sector by optimizing logistics, improving route planning, and facilitating autonomous vehicles.

An AI agent could analyze traffic patterns in real-time to suggest the fastest routes for delivery trucks, reducing fuel consumption and improving efficiency.

### 6. Entertainment

In the entertainment industry, AI agents will curate personalized content recommendations, enhancing user engagement.

Streaming platforms could employ AI agents to analyze viewing habits and suggest new shows or movies tailored to individual preferences.

![Photo from FreePik](img/isometric-business-concept-man-thinking-crm-system-artificial-intelligence-robot-ai_39422-771.jpg "Photo from FreePik")

Photo from FreePik

## Challenges and considerations

While the potential for AI agents is immense, several challenges must be addressed:

### 1. Ethical concerns

As AI agents become more integrated into our lives, ethical considerations surrounding privacy, data security, and decision-making will be paramount. Companies must prioritize transparency and accountability in their AI systems to build trust with users.

### 2. Technical limitations

Despite rapid advancements, AI technology still faces limitations. Ensuring that AI agents can function effectively across various contexts and understand nuanced human interactions is crucial for their success.

### 3. Public perception

The acceptance of AI agents will depend significantly on public perception. Building trust and demonstrating the benefits of these systems will be essential for widespread adoption. Companies will need to engage in public education campaigns to alleviate fears and misconceptions about AI.

### 4. Job displacement

As AI agents take over routine tasks, there is concern about job displacement. While AI will create new roles, there will be a transition period that might lead to workforce disruptions. Businesses must invest in retraining programs to help employees adapt to the changing landscape.

## The role of major players

### 1. Meta

Meta is poised to be a significant player in the AI agent market. With its Llama model, the company is focusing on creating advanced conversational agents that can engage users in meaningful ways. The expected monetization of Llama indicates a strategic shift towards profitable AI applications.

### 2. OpenAI

OpenAI continues to push the boundaries of what AI agents can achieve. With its focus on developing advanced language models, OpenAI is well-positioned to lead the charge in creating AI agents capable of understanding and generating human-like text.

### 3. Google

Google’s investment in AI technologies, particularly in natural language processing and machine learning, will play a crucial role in shaping the future of AI agents. The integration of AI across Google’s suite of products will enhance user experiences and drive adoption.

### 4. Startups

Numerous startups are emerging in the AI agent space, each aiming to carve out their niche. Companies like Adept and Lumen Orbit are at the forefront of developing innovative solutions that leverage AI to improve efficiency and user experience.

## So, what do you think about these trends?

The future of AI agents looks promising as we approach 2025. With significant advancements on the horizon, these agents are set to transform various sectors, improving efficiency and user experiences. As companies like Meta, OpenAI, and others continue to innovate, the impact of AI agents will only grow, reshaping how we interact with technology and each other.

With this tech, we can create a future that benefits everyone. The world stands on the brink of an AI and now is the time to prepare for the exciting developments. Right now, one thing is clear: AI agents are not just a trend; they are the future of technology, poised to become indispensable in our daily lives.


Learn more about key trends in AI for 2025!

AI predictions for 2025

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