Are generative AI use and depressive symptoms linked?

Are generative AI use and depressive symptoms linked?

7 February 2026

A recent study by Roy Perlis and colleagues surveyed more than 20,000 US adults to examine whether generative AI use and depressive symptoms are linked. Daily use of generative AI was associated with higher depressive symptoms. The association was most apparent among 25 to 64-year-olds: daily users had about 30% higher odds of moderate depressive symptoms. Notably, this was observed for personal use only, not for work or study.

We still don’t know the direction of the relationship: correlation is not causality. At the very least, this highlights the need for further research. It also supports a practical point for evaluation studies suggested by the authors: when assessing potential benefits of AI use, we should not only focus on typical productivity gains, but also measure mood and anxiety.

The full article is available here.