Professor Datuk Mohd Tajudin Ninggal, Phd, KB, Pa.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital therapy is transforming the field of counselling, offering unprecedented accessibility and innovative mental health solutions. However, as technology advances, critical questions arise about ethical considerations, effectiveness, and the preservation of human connection in therapy. This keynote will explore how AI-driven mental health tools—such as chatbots, virtual therapy platforms, and telehealth services—are reshaping counselling practices. While these innovations offer scalability, affordability, and 24/7 availability, they also pose challenges, including data privacy risks, algorithmic bias, and the absence of deep emotional intelligence. The discussion will examine the current landscape of digital therapy, highlight real-world case studies of AI-assisted counselling, and address the regulatory and ethical frameworks needed to ensure responsible AI integration. Additionally, it will emphasize the importance of maintaining human empathy in digital mental health care and propose strategies for a hybrid approach, where technology enhances rather than replaces human-led therapy. Finally, the keynote will challenge universities and professional bodies to rethink counselling education and training, ensuring that future counsellors are equipped with digital competency and ethical awareness in an evolving mental health landscape. In this new era of digital counselling, the goal is not to choose between technology and human connection, but to find the right balance that prioritizes client well-being, ethical integrity, and the core values of the counselling profession.