Teens Realize AI Can’t Be Trusted with Mental Health

artificial intelligence: A form of decision-making based on knowledge, executed by machines or computers. This term also encompasses a research field focused on creating machines and software that can exhibit intelligent behavior.

bias: A predisposition to favor a particular perspective or preference regarding something, a number of items, or specific choices. Scientists often employ “blind” testing on subjects to mitigate the influence of personal biases on the outcomes.

coding: In computing, this slang term pertains to the development of software or computer programming that performs specific computational tasks.

decision tree: A learning algorithm within computer science that classifies or predicts outcomes. Users are prompted with a series of graded questions, each having two possible responses. Based on the answer given, the process is repeated with a new question until the optimal option is identified from the initial possibilities.

flowchart: A visual representation of sequential steps or decisions depicted in a diagram through boxes. The lines (and sometimes symbols) connecting the boxes indicate the order of steps and decision points involved in transitioning from one box to another.

sex: The intricate relationship between an individual’s body, their identity, and the cultural roles imposed on them. Biological sex and gender are often confused; gender identities range from binary (female or male) to non-binary (genderfluid, genderqueer, etc.). Individuals express aspects of their gender identity through their pronoun choices, such as he, she, or they. A person’s gender may align with their sex assigned at birth or differ from it.

large language model: A type of machine learning in computing that predicts the next word in text or audio and presents this prediction in an understandable manner. Trained on vast amounts of data, these models utilize neural networks to analyze and comprehend information. Not only do they learn words, but they also grasp phrases and their context, which refers to the accompanying words that give meaning to those phrases.

mental health: A term that characterizes an individual’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing how they behave and interact with others. This encompasses their decision-making, stress management, and handling of fear and anxiety. Poor mental health can stem from illness or serve as a temporary response to life’s challenges, affecting individuals across all ages.

junior high school: A classification of grades 6 to 8 within the U.S. educational system, serving as a transition phase before high school. Some districts categorize 6th grade with elementary education and label 7th and 8th grades as “middle school.”

model: A simulated representation (commonly on a computer) of a real-world event aimed at predicting one or more potential outcomes. It can also refer to an individual who demonstrates how something functions or appears to others.

parameters: Defined or quantifiable aspects of a situation being studied.

psychologist: A professional or researcher who examines the mind, particularly in relation to behavior. Some psychologists collaborate with others, while some conduct experiments on animals (usually rodents) to observe responses to varying stimuli and conditions.

random forest model: A well-known algorithm in machine learning (a branch of artificial intelligence) that consolidates decisions from multiple decision trees to derive a final conclusion.

scientific association: A nonprofit organization established in 1921 and based in Washington, DC, dedicated to promoting public engagement in scientific research and enhancing public comprehension of science. The organization has developed and manages several notable science competitions, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search (1942), the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (1950), and the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (2023), which evolved from the Middle School MASTERS competition (2010 to 2022). The association also publishes acclaimed journalism through science news (first released in 1922) and Exploring science news (initiated in 2003).

stress: In psychology, this term refers to an emotional, physical, or behavioral reaction to a challenging event or situation (known as a stressor) that disturbs an individual or animal’s normal state or adds further demands. Psychological stress can have both positive and negative effects.

symptoms: Indicators, either physical or mental, that are typically associated with a disease. A single symptom, particularly common ones like fever or pain, can signify a variety of injuries or illnesses.

transit: In astronomy, this term describes the movement of a planet, asteroid, or comet across a star’s surface, or the moon’s passage over a planet’s surface.