Brain Boosters: Tools for Mental Wellbeing

Should we trust generative artificial intelligence (AI) to provide psychological support to people? Some swear by it, praising its accessibility, efficiency, low costs, and broad knowledge. Others call for caution, highlighting risks of privacy breaches, lack of safety and regulation, and reliance on non-human support. In this talk, we will look beyond binaries of trust vs distrust and enthusiasm vs skepticism. Instead, we will explore the nuanced reality of psychological support from generative AI and how people perceive it with regards to psychological expertise, emotional intelligence, psychological safety, clinical risks, and many other dimensions.

The news is full of alarming stories about the negative impact of digital technology - and social media in particular - on young people’s health and wellbeing. But is the moral panic justified? Is social media really responsible for today’s mental health crisis? Is a social media ban the right answer? This talk aims to unpick the science and look at the data behind the headlines by exploring what we know about young people’s online behaviour, the links between social media use and mental health, and what can be done to make the digital world a safer space for children and young people.

Imagine controlling brain circuits without surgery or wires. BRAINSTORM uses tiny, biocompatible magnetic nanomaterials to activate or inhibit selected neuronal circuits on demand with precision. By targeting specific ion channels, we can switch neurons on or off, offering minimally invasive ways to treat neurological disorders. This wireless, nanomaterial-based approach could transform how we understand and care for the brain.