Young people increasingly use AI for learning, creation, and seeking advice, but families, schools, and clinicians need stronger evidence and safeguards. OpenAI is partnering with the American Psychological Association (APA) to ground responsible AI development in psychological science, especially for youth. The collaboration builds on a convening with mental health leaders, researchers, educators, and youth representatives to identify gaps in support and responsible AI roles.

Areas of focus include designing AI that is developmentally appropriate, supporting young people in distress, equipping parents and caregivers with practical tools for navigating AI at home, and creating resources for clinicians and school psychologists to recognize overreliance and unhealthy use. The work will also convene teens, families, and practitioners to understand actual usage patterns and system gaps. OpenAI emphasizes that AI should complement—not replace—human relationships and care.

This partnership extends OpenAI’s existing safety work: consulting with over 260 mental health experts to improve ChatGPT’s responses to distress, expanding crisis resource access, adding reminders to take breaks, and implementing parental controls, under-18 principles in the Model Spec, and an age prediction model. The long-term goal is to ensure AI supports young people and those who care for them, rooted in behavioral science and lived experience.