Washington-Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

A recent scientific study has revealed a link between the daily use of generative artificial intelligence tools, particularly chatbots, and rising rates of depression among adults in the United States, without conclusively establishing a direct causal relationship between the two. According to a report published by the European news network Euronews in Brussels on Sunday, a study published on January 21, 2026, in the journal JAMA Network Open indicated a 30% increase in the likelihood of experiencing at least moderate depressive symptoms among daily users of these tools, compared to those who use them less frequently. The researchers explained that "high levels of AI use were associated with small but significant increases in depressive symptoms," emphasizing that individuals who rely on AI tools daily exhibited higher rates of depression compared to others. The study stressed that these results reflect a statistical correlation and do not constitute conclusive evidence that AI use is a direct cause of deteriorating mental health. The study was based on a national survey of 20,847 American adults, conducted between April and May 2025, to measure the prevalence and patterns of use of generative AI tools. The data showed that 10.3% of participants use generative AI. Daily, while 5.3% reported interacting with chatbots several times a day.

According to the study's definition, "generative artificial intelligence" refers to systems capable of producing text and written responses, such as chatbots designed to conduct interactive conversations and generate content based on user input.

Young people are affected… and questions remain about cause and effect. Researchers noted that younger age groups appeared more affected by the psychological indicators associated with AI use. However, the study did not determine whether intensive use of these tools leads to depression, or whether individuals already experiencing depressive symptoms are more likely to use them as a substitute for social interaction.

The research team concluded the study by emphasizing the need for further research to understand the nature of this relationship, determine whether it is indeed causal, and explain the reasons for the varying effects across different age groups.