An interactive design project by Azerbaijani product designer Zarina Majidova has been presented at the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art in Davis, California, exploring how artificial intelligence can be integrated into mental health care, APA-Economics reports.
The project examines how AI can support therapists rather than replace them, focusing on collaboration between technology and human expertise. It proposes design approaches that structure communication, surface insights, and assist decision-making while maintaining human oversight in sensitive contexts.
The installation was presented as an interactive experience, allowing visitors to engage directly with the concept through prototype interfaces, visual materials, and guided scenarios. A central part of the exhibit invited participants to reflect on a key question: whether they would feel more comfortable opening up to an AI system or a human therapist.
The exhibition attracted thousands of visitors, with hundreds actively engaging with the installation and leaving written responses. The feedback reflected a range of perspectives, including curiosity, hesitation, and cautious optimism, highlighting ongoing uncertainty around the role of AI in mental health care.
Majidova, who is based in California, focuses on designing systems that address both usability and responsibility in emerging technologies. Her work examines how product design decisions influence user trust, particularly in environments where interactions involve personal and emotional information.
“AI can provide structure and support, but it requires clear boundaries,” Majidova said. “The goal is to design systems where technology assists the process while human professionals remain central to decision-making.”
The project responds to broader challenges in mental health care, where demand for support continues to grow while access to professional services remains limited. At the same time, the increasing use of AI tools for emotional support has raised questions about safety, reliability, and ethical responsibility.
Within this context, Majidova’s work explores how design can introduce clarity into complex systems. Her approach is based on user research and iterative testing, focusing on how individuals interpret and interact with AI-supported tools in real-world scenarios.
By observing visitor interactions during the exhibition, the project highlights how people respond to AI in emotionally sensitive situations, revealing both interest in new forms of support and concerns about trust and accuracy.
Her work contributes to ongoing discussions around the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare, particularly in areas where human judgment and empathy remain essential.
Majidova is continuing to develop these ideas, exploring how such systems can be translated into practical product applications that balance technological capability with human-centered care.
