Was asked me an interesting question on bsky (will link below) and I decided to ask it here where I have significantly more software engineer follows:
On average do you think the majority of your software engineer colleagues would support replacing therapists with tech? (for whatever reason, i.e. not just from malice but from ignorance, or because of a belief about what the tech could do)
@grimalkina I voted no for the geography (Switzerland) and sectors (banking, insurance) I know about. It's a narrow and narrowing margin... I think it's more a reflection of the conservatism in these areas to be honest.
I personally would answer no to the strong form of the question i.e. replace all therapists all the time with LLMs in their current state.
My opposition weakens or reverses for some cases of therapy (e.g. less intense / acute cases, coaching etc.) and "tech" broadly considered (there I'm not even sure what that could mean, but even ELIZA helped some people I guess?).
@spoltier thoughtful reflection, thank you!