The Psychiatric AI Risk Screen (PAIRS): Development of a Structured Clinical Instrument for Assessing Harm from AI Chatbot Use in Psychiatric Populations

PAIRS (the Psychiatric AI Risk Screen) is a structured, clinician-administered instrument for assessing harm associated with AI chatbot use in psychiatric populations. It comprises eight scored domains with vulnerability-adjusted risk stratification, automatic RED triggers on three high-stakes domains, and behavioural scoring anchors.

PAIRS has not yet been empirically validated and is intended to supplement, not replace, clinical assessment and risk formulation by qualified mental health professionals.