Psychological Harm, Why Is It Becoming of Interest, & Do We Need to Address It?

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The topic of psychological harm has come into sharp focus in the advent of several disruptive technologies that we simply cannot avoid engaging with. Social media, smart home devices, chatbots, virtual reality simulators, and ever advancing generative AI involve artificial systems that support and assist our professional and personal activities. At what point do our interactions with artificial systems cross over from making our lives easier, to structurally changing us emotionally and behaviorally in irrecoverable ways? In fact, when it comes to designing laws, policy, regulations and guidance, the challenge to introducing protections against psychological harm requires identifying who or what is liable for the psychological harm that could be experienced, and what a proportional punitive response looks like? But, we can't address any of these questions without first operationally defining psychological harm and measuring it.

Prof. Magda Osman is Head of Research and Analysis Centre for Science and Policy, University of Cambridge, as well as Principal Researcher Associate of basic and applied decision-making at the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge. She also holds a position (Prof) at Leeds Business School, University of Leeds, supporting policy impact. She is a psychologist by training, with a specific interest in decision-making under risk and uncertainty, risk analysis and causal analysis, folk beliefs in the manipulation of the unconscious, as well as an interest in examining effectiveness of methods of behavioural change. She works closely with others in disciplines including: cognitive science, machine learning, management, philosophy, linguistics, neuroscience, behavioural economics, and medical sciences.Also interested in science communication, and understanding effective ways of engaging the public on matters related to social policy.

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