Artificial intelligence is increasingly woven into everyday life, from chatbots that offer companionship to algorithms that shape what we see online. But as generative AI (genAI) becomes more conversational, immersive and emotionally responsive, clinicians are beginning to ask a difficult question: can genAI exacerbate or even trigger psychosis in vulnerable people? Large language models and chatbots […] … learn more→
Reports of ‘AI psychosis’ are emerging — here’s what a psychiatric clinician has to say
AI disruptions reveal the folly of clinging to an idealized modern university
In the past five years, higher education has been in a seemingly endless state of disruption. In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a mass rapid pivot to emergency remote teaching. In shifting to unfamiliar digital learning environments, instructors scrambled to replicate classroom learning online. When restrictions lifted, many institutions pushed for a “return to normal,” as […] … learn more→
Science is best communicated through identity and culture – how researchers are ensuring STEM serves their communities
Lived experiences shape how science is conducted. This matters because who gets to speak for science steers which problems are prioritized, how evidence is translated into practice and who ultimately benefits from scientific advances. For researchers whose communities have not historically been represented in science – including many people of color, LGBTQ+ and first-generation scientists – identity is […] … learn more→
There’s an intensifying kind of threat to academic freedom – watchful students serving as informants
Texas A&M University told philosophy professor Martin Peterson in early January 2026 that he could not teach some of Greek philosopher Plato’s writings that touch on “race and gender ideology.” The university’s local chapter of the American Association of University Professors, an organization of professors and academics in the U.S., quickly denounced this requirement. Peterson, in response to […] … learn more→
Ending well
Don’t be tricksy. As with all stories, don’t play tricks on the reader. Don’t bring a rabbit out of the hat at the last moment. If there is a big reveal, make sure it’s planted well in advance. Don’t fade and die. If you start off strong, make sure you have an ending that’s […] … learn more→
Evidence for link between digital technology use and teenage mental health problems is weak, our large study suggests
For years, the narrative surrounding teenagers’ use of digital technology has been one of alarm. Time spent scrolling through TikTok or playing video games is widely seen to be driving the current crisis in youth mental health, fuelling rising rates of anxiety and depression. But our recent study suggests that this simple story of cause and effect is […] … learn more→
Adolescent mental health: social media amplifies problems observed offline, particularly among girls
Anxiety and depression, suicidal thoughts, cyberbullying, poor self-image, alcohol, cannabis and other psychoactive substance use… social networks exploit the vulnerabilities of young people and thus contribute to amplifying certain disorders of which they are victims. This is the conclusion of a major report by the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety […] … learn more→
Want to read more? Two experts give their tips on what you can do
Reading promises so much: better mental health, a sense of wellbeing, cultural and educational enrichment, even greater confidence and eloquence. It sounds irresistible; yet for many of us, the reality is very different. Half of the adults in the UK don’t read regularly for pleasure, and more than one in ten find reading difficult. So why does something […] … learn more→
Research institutions tout the value of scholarship that crosses disciplines – but academia pushes interdisciplinary researchers out
The most exciting landmark scientific achievements don’t happen without researchers sharing and collaborating with others outside their field. When people first landed on the Moon in 1969, Neil Armstrong’s first footsteps marked the realization of a century-long vision that integrated a variety of scientific fields. Landing on the Moon required expertise in electrical, mechanical, chemical […] … learn more→
4 ways to empower students to spark social change
College students in the humanities and social sciences are constantly learning about the world’s biggest problems — from inequality, wars, forced displacement, hunger and famine, discrimination and climate change to unjust policies and laws. While this knowledge helps them see the world in new ways, it can also be overwhelming. Many students end up feeling […] … learn more→