- Mental health experts warn that rising AI use among shore staff may soon extend onboard vessels, creating emotional risks.
- Lack of regulations and safeguards in AI tools can lead to unsafe interactions and false impressions of companionship.
- Maritime health professionals stress the importance of human oversight and proper escalation protocols that AI cannot replicate.
- Education and regulation are essential to ensure safe and responsible AI use in the maritime sector.
Mental health experts are voicing growing concern over the increasing reliance on AI chat tools among shore-based personnel, warning that similar patterns could soon emerge onboard vessels. The absence of clear regulations around AI usage and exposure risks has prompted calls for greater oversight, particularly after a recent case in which parents filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming ChatGPT reinforced their son’s suicidal thoughts. According to a recent report by Safety4Sea, these developments highlight the urgent need to monitor how individuals interact with AI platforms in both professional and personal settings.
AI Overuse and Its Emotional Risks
Mental Health Support Solutions (MHSS) has cautioned that while general AI platforms can offer support and moderation, others operate without content restrictions, allowing users to engage in unsafe and unregulated interactions. The lack of built-in safeguards, such as the ability to end harmful conversations or escalate cases to human professionals, can create a false sense of emotional connection. MHSS Founder and Director of Clinical Operations, Charles Watkins, emphasized that while maritime health professionals understand proper escalation procedures, AI systems lack this essential human awareness — making it critical to assess both the benefits and the risks of such tools.
Need for Regulation and Education
Experts stress that as artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into the maritime sector, proactive education and regulation are essential. Güven Kale, Clinical Psychologist and Emotionally Focused Therapist at MHSS, highlighted the importance of teaching users how to engage with AI responsibly and recognize when human support is needed. MHSS warns that without these safeguards, overreliance on AI could lead to unintended psychological effects, underlining the importance of balancing innovation with mental well-being across the maritime workforce.
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Source: Safety4Sea
