Psychiatry residency hits 14-year high as graduates embrace AI collaboration

Medical school graduates are increasingly choosing psychiatry as their specialty, with 1,975 students matching into psychiatry programs in 2025—marking the 14th consecutive year of growth in the field. This surge comes despite widespread predictions that AI mental health apps and chatbots will eventually replace human therapists, suggesting these graduates see opportunity rather than obsolescence in the AI revolution.

What you should know: The latest matching data reveals a significant uptick in psychiatry interest among new medical graduates.

• A total of 1,975 graduating seniors matched into psychiatry training programs in 2025, up from 1,823 the previous year.
• This represents the 14th consecutive year that psychiatry has increased its match numbers.
• Educators attribute the trend to growing societal recognition of mental health importance and younger graduates’ commitment to addressing social determinants of health.

Why this matters: These graduates are entering psychiatry with full awareness that AI is rapidly advancing in mental health applications, yet they’re betting on human-AI collaboration rather than replacement.

• Many medical students are digital natives who have already experimented with generative AI and large language models during their education.
• They recognize that AI mental health tools, while accessible and cost-effective, cannot fully replicate human-to-human therapeutic relationships.
• The graduates view AI integration as an opportunity to expand their impact rather than a threat to their careers.

The AI disruption reality: Generative AI is already transforming mental health care delivery in ways that could theoretically reduce demand for human therapists.

• AI therapy tools offer 24/7 accessibility, low cost, apparent empathy, and perceived anonymity that many patients find appealing.
• ChatGPT alone attracts around 400 million weekly active users, with some portion seeking mental health guidance.
• Predictions suggest patients will increasingly gravitate toward AI solutions over traditional therapy.

How graduates are adapting: Rather than avoiding AI, new psychiatrists are positioning themselves to shape its integration into mental health care.

• They’re embracing what experts call the “triad” model—therapist-AI-patient relationships that supplement rather than replace human interaction.
• Some graduates see opportunities to pioneer AI-driven mental health solutions and establish practices at massive scale.
• Others are eyeing AI startup opportunities, leveraging their psychological expertise to improve AI safety and effectiveness in therapy.

The business opportunity: Financial incentives align with the professional mission, as demand for mental health services continues growing.

• The expanding need for mental health support creates both traditional practice opportunities and AI-enhanced service models.
• Venture capital firms and healthcare providers are investing heavily in AI mental health solutions.
• Graduates with both clinical training and AI familiarity are positioned to capitalize on this intersection.

What they’re saying: Carl Jung’s insight captures the graduates’ mindset: “Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”

• The graduates understand that “ignoring AI won’t make AI go away.”
• They recognize that conventional practices will eventually need to “contend with AI or close their doors.”
• The graduates are betting that their clinical expertise will be essential for developing safe, effective AI mental health tools.