Ethical decision-making for AI in mental health: The Integrated Ethical Approach for Computational Psychiatry (IEACP) framework

Abstract

The integration of computational methods into psychiatry presents profound ethical challenges that extend beyond existing guidelines for AI and healthcare. While precision medicine and digital mental health tools offer transformative potential, they also raise concerns about privacy, algorithmic bias, transparency, and the erosion of clinical judgment. This article introduces the Integrated Ethical Approach for Computational Psychiatry (IEACP) framework, developed through a conceptual synthesis of 83 studies. The framework comprises five procedural stages - Identification, Analysis, Decision-making, Implementation, and Review - each informed by six core ethical values - beneficence, autonomy..