Artificial intelligence and forensic mental health in Africa: a narrative review

Abstract

This narrative review examines the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools into forensic psychiatry in Africa, highlighting possible opportunities and challenges. Specifically, AI may have the potential to augment screening in prisons, risk assessment/management, and forensic-psychiatric treatment, alongside offering benefits for training and research purposes. These use-cases may be particularly advantageous in contexts of forensic practice in Africa, where there remains a need for capacity building and service improvements in jurisdictions affected by distinctive sociolegal and socioeconomic challenges. However, AI can also entail ethical risks associated with misinformation, privacy concerns, and an overreliance on automated systems that need to be considered within implementation and policy planning. Equally, the political and regulatory backdrop surrounding AI in countries in Africa needs to be carefully scrutinised (and, where necessary, strengthened). Accordingly, this review calls for rigorous feasibility studies and the development of training programmes to ensure the effective application of AI in enhancing forensic-psychiatric services in Africa.

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