In this special episode of the This Week in Global Development podcast, we dive into a fast-moving and timely question at the intersection of technology and health care: Can artificial intelligence safely support mental health? 

Hosted in partnership with PATH, Devex Senior Editor for Special Coverage Catherine Cheney speaks with Bilal Mateen, chief AI officer at PATH, Miranda Wolpert, director of mental health at Wellcome, and Christelna Reynecke, COO at the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, about the role AI can play in addressing the global mental health gap. 

Around the world, millions lack access to timely, quality mental health support, and AI tools could help extend care in ways previously out of reach. But the risks are real. We’ve already seen some unregulated tools cross into treatment claims, blur regulatory lines, and, in rare but tragic cases, cause harm. 

This episode explores both sides: The promise of AI to expand access and the safeguards, standards, and oversight required to make that promise real, without leaving patients to absorb the risk.
To hear more, listen to this conversation with Bilal Mateen, Christelna Reynecke, and Miranda Wolpert for the This Week in Global Development podcast.