Should I Trust AI?

kellyjaninelawrenc
Apr 24
2 min read

An Internal Family Systems (IFS) Perspective on Artificial Intelligence and Mental Health

As an online psychologist in New Zealand who uses Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, I often reflect on how our relationship with technology—especially Artificial Intelligence (AI)—mirrors the relationships we have within ourselves.

Many people today are asking:

“Can I trust AI?”

But through an IFS therapy lens, the better question might be:

“Which part of me is asking that—and what is it afraid of?”

Parts Work: Understanding Your Inner Responses to AI

IFS therapy, also known as parts work, is a trauma-informed model that recognises that we all have multiple parts within us—inner voices, feelings, or subpersonalities with unique perspectives and motivations.

When confronted with emerging technologies like AI, these parts often have strong reactions:

• A skeptical part might fear loss of control or autonomy.

• A curious part may be excited by innovation and possibility.

• A protective part may urge you to stay guarded and cautious.

• A tech-avoidant part might fear being overwhelmed or left behind.

• And an exiled part—often a younger, wounded part—may quietly carry old fears of betrayal or abandonment that the AI somehow reactivates.

These reactions aren’t irrational—they’re intelligent adaptations. They tell us what still needs witnessing and healing.

The Role of Self in Making Conscious Tech Choices

From the IFS perspective, the goal isn’t to eliminate these parts, but to lead from the Self—a calm, compassionate inner presence with the clarity to hold all perspectives without becoming overwhelmed.

So rather than seeking a black-and-white answer to whether you should “trust AI,” ask instead:

• Which parts of me are activated right now?

• What are they trying to protect?

• Can I stay curious and compassionate towards their concerns?

This self-awareness not only helps you make more grounded choices—it also models a trauma-informed, regulated relationship to uncertainty.

AI and Mental Health: A Quantum Lens

There’s also a broader, more quantum-informed perspective that can deepen this work.

Quantum theory suggests that reality is not fixed, but co-created by consciousness. In the same way, your interaction with AI isn’t neutral—it reflects the energy you bring to it.

If you approach AI from a place of fear or overwhelm, it may reinforce those feelings. But if you approach it from a Self-led, present-centred state, AI can become a tool for growth, insight, and even healing.

As an IFS therapist, I sometimes notice that AI can act as a mirror for clients’ inner systems. The questions it raises—about safety, trust, and identity—can lead to valuable therapeutic material.