Therapists across the United States report a rising trend of clients expressing anxiety and existential concerns related to artificial intelligence (A.I.) as the technology rapidly transforms workplaces and society at large. Mental health professionals say these worries span from practical impacts on jobs to fears about the long-term future of humanity.

Candice N. Thompson, a Silicon Valley-based therapist with 17 years of experience, noted that discussions about A.I.-related fears have become a regular feature in her practice. Her clients, largely high-achieving employees in the tech sector, often raise concerns about how A.I. is disrupting their roles and the broader implications for society. “In my clinical lifetime, I've never seen an existential threat like this,” Thompson said, adding that even individuals outside the tech industry are feeling unsettled.

This sentiment is echoed by Sherry Turkle, a sociologist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who draws parallels between A.I. anxiety and climate change-related depression. Turkle described a pervasive feeling among people of “lack of agency” and disempowerment as they confront rapid, uncontrollable change. This sense of helplessness can contribute to widespread diffuse anxiety.

A June study by the Pew Research Center found that a majority of Americans are skeptical about A.I., with more adults anticipating negative rather than positive effects on their personal lives and society. About two-thirds of those surveyed also felt that A.I. is advancing too quickly.

For individuals with preexisting mental health conditions, the distress can be more intense. Emma Basto, a 32-year-old mother from New Hampshire who has obsessive-compulsive disorder, described how reading about alarming predictions and unethical uses of A.I. technology triggered obsessive thoughts and worry spirals. Her therapist helped her recognize the limits of control she has over such issues, emphasizing the importance of focusing on what can be managed.

Clinical experts like Rachel Wood, a Colorado therapist specializing in technology’s psychological impacts, report that clients frequently express grief about the rapid and irreversible societal changes driven by A.I. Some clients struggle with professional identity as A.I. takes on tasks humans once performed, prompting questions about personal purpose and relevance. “It’s really hard to catch up and make meaning out of something that is moving so fast,” Wood said.

Not all reactions to A.I. are negative, however. Yuxin Sun, a psychologist in Seattle, shared that some of her clients embrace A.I., particularly younger individuals and those directly engaged in tech development. Yet others report concerns about the effects on their families or the loss of meaningful work, such as software engineers who feel replaced by A.I.’s coding capabilities.

Mental health professionals emphasize the importance of grounding oneself in present realities and taking proactive steps where possible. Some clients, like Basto, engage in political advocacy, using tools like the 5 Calls app to push for stronger A.I. regulations. Thompson cautions against relying on A.I. as a substitute for human therapy, stressing the unique ethical and relational aspects of mental health care.

Psychologists encourage individuals to reflect on what they value and what tasks they wish to retain control over, viewing this period of transformation as an opportunity for reassessment. Questions such as “What do I wish to spend more or less time on?” and “What can I do about these changes?” are advised as a means to regain agency and establish a sense of meaning amid uncertainty.