From Apps to AI: The Emerging Landscape of Digital Mental Health Technology

Introduction (10 minutes): The session will begin with an introduction to digital mental health, digital psychiatry, and artificial intelligence (AI), including definitions of terms, and a high-level map of how these technologies are being used in behavioral health today.

Apps and App Evaluation (15 minutes): This segment will introduce the concept of "apps" and explain the different types of apps, their use cases, and regulatory/FDA requirements for each type. Examples of commonly used apps will be provided (however, no specific recommendations or endorsements will be made). The APA App Evaluation Framework will be introduced and an overview of each component of the framework will be provided. Implementing organizations of the framework will be provided as well as information on how to get involved with app evaluation.

Digital Therapeutics (10 minutes): This segment will introduce the concept of digital therapeutics (DTx) and the regulatory pathway used by the FDA (software as a medical device/SaMD) for these products. It will also provide a summary of categories of products within behavioral health approved in the last three years (including ADHD, MDD, postpartum depression, PTSD, etc.) and explain the platforms (app, screen-based, VR, etc.) used to deliver the interventions.

Digital Phenotyping and Diagnostics (10 minutes): This segment will introduce the concepts of digital phenotyping and digital diagnostics in behavioral health. An overview of the latest research will be provided, including AI-based phenotyping, app-based diagnostics, and emerging technologies in language, voice, and video-based analysis.

Open Discussion and Q&A (15 minutes): In the final segment, questions will be solicited from the audience (including specific questions and open discussion questions). In the event of insufficient organic discussion from the audience, pre-prepared open-discussion questions will be used to encourage participation.