AI and mental health research

Key gaps include understanding how different uses of AI affect mental health, independent judgment, purpose and human connection over time. Research needs to distinguish immediate benefits from lasting outcomes and establish how effects vary across populations and settings. A complementary question is which personal capacities and institutional conditions help people adapt well. These questions sit within Dr. Ishan Shivanand’s wider research interests in human development alongside AI.

Evaluating AI’s impact on human flourishing requires measuring changes in people’s mental health, sense of purpose, relationships, autonomy and life satisfaction alongside technological performance. Where relevant, physiological measures and biomarkers can complement psychological and social assessments. Existing wellbeing measures offer a starting point, but their suitability for specific AI contexts needs testing. Longitudinal studies and appropriate comparisons can help establish whether changes persist and how they relate to the way AI is introduced and used.

Research can examine whether AI systems help people understand options and make informed decisions, or encourage them to defer judgment. Relevant outcomes include the ability to question recommendations, recognize uncertainty, retain skills and take responsibility for decisions. Studying these alongside wellbeing can help technology leaders make choices about design and deployment that support human capability, with explicit attention to dignity, autonomy and the people affected.

Evidence needs to be assessed for the specific program, population and outcome being studied. Yoga of Immortals, developed by Dr. Ishan Shivanand, combines movement, breathwork and meditation. Published research has reported improvements in anxiety, depression symptoms and insomnia, including among healthcare workers. The findings provide a basis for further investigation, while study design, self-reported outcomes and follow-up affect the conclusions that can be drawn.

Contemplative science offers ways to investigate attention, emotional regulation and responses to stress — capacities relevant to how people navigate technological change. Defined practices can be studied alongside AI use to examine whether they influence adaptation, judgment or wellbeing. Dr. Ishan Shivanand’s experience developing Yoga of Immortals provides a potential contribution to such collaborations. Whether these practices produce benefits specifically in AI-related settings remains a question to test.

Translation requires evidence that an intervention is effective, acceptable and feasible in the setting where it will be used. Research should examine who benefits, whether outcomes persist, how consistently the program can be delivered, and what participation and delivery cost. For structured programs such as Yoga of Immortals, collaboration with clinical and institutional partners can help test these questions and establish the conditions for responsible use.

Research at this intersection needs expertise in mental health, human behavior, AI systems, ethics and rigorous evaluation, together with the perspectives of affected communities. Contributions depend on the question: clinical assessment, technology design, contemplative practice and implementation each address different needs. Dr. Ishan Shivanand brings experience developing structured contemplative protocols and participating in published mental-health research, creating opportunities for collaboration with complementary scientific and technical expertise.