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Episode Description
In the premiere episode of Neural Compass, host Mark Jacobstein (co-founder and president of Jimini Health) sits down with Dr. Lyle Ungar, professor of computer and information science at the University of Pennsylvania, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the landscape of mental and behavioral health.
Dr. Ungar’s pioneering research on language and psychology reveals how subtle patterns in our words — including on social media — can signal conditions like depression, anxiety, and even suicidal ideation. Together, they unpack the promise and complexity of using AI for early screening, real-time support, and ultimately, helping more people move from surviving to flourishing.
This episode touches on:
- The ethics and accuracy of AI detecting mental health conditions
- Why language data may be more revealing than clinical checklists
- How to balance synthetic support with real human connection
- The future of AI-augmented therapy — and the role of human therapists
- What it means to build technology that truly helps people thrive
"You only see your therapist for 1 hour a week. What supports you the other 167?"
Mentioned In This Episode
"Predicting Depression from Facebook Language" – Dr. Ungar’s work showing that language on social media can predict depression as accurately as standard clinical screenings.
About Our Guest
Dr. Lyle Ungar is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania with appointments in computer science, psychology, genomics, and more. He’s published over 400 papers and is best known for his work applying natural language processing and machine learning to psychological well-being. From language models that predict depression to the future of AI-powered chatbots, Dr. Ungar sits at the frontier of science and empathy. Learn more.
About Our Host
Mark Jacobstein is the co-founder and president of Jimini Health. A longtime entrepreneur at the intersection of AI and health tech, he now leads Jimini’s mission to transform mental and behavioral health through clinically grounded, AI-powered care.