The New York Times examined Ash as a leading example of AI therapy, reporting that Slingshot cited a study finding more than 70% of Ash users felt less lonely and more socially connected, and profiling users who found the app genuinely helpful.
In The New York Times, reporter Cade Metz examined the rise of AI therapy chatbots through Ash, the app built by Slingshot AI, a New York startup that employs clinical psychologists. At the FDA's first public hearing on the technology, Slingshot clinical psychologist Derrick Hull cited a study with academics finding that more than 70% of people who used Ash reported it made them less lonely and more socially connected, arguing that "AI designed for well-being can provide enormous benefit at low risk." The Times profiled users who described real benefit: one said Ash "ended up being what I needed. It challenged me, asked a lot of questions, remembered what I had said in the past," and the piece noted that when she recounted a difficult memory, Ash pointed her toward professional help and a crisis line. An FDA official said generative AI holds "significant promise" for mental health, especially in underserved areas. The article also explains how Slingshot trained Ash on thousands of therapist-patient conversations and refines it daily with clinician feedback.
