What Every Psychologist Should Know About AI and the Turing Paradigm in Psychosocial Work

Salvatore Giacomuzzi Poltava V. G. Korolenko National Pedagogical University, Poltava, Ukraine; Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine; Centre for Security Studies; Poland International Security Competence Centre Vienna, Vienna, Austria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4218-1685
Gerald Pachler UMIT Tyrol – University for Health Sciences and Technology, Hall in Tyrol, Austria https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9980-3579

Keywords: anthropomorphism, artificial intelligence, ethics, psychosocial work, Turing paradigm

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems are increasingly deployed in psychosocial contexts such as counseling, psychoeducation, and decision support. Through natural language interaction, these systems may appear to users as human-like conversational partners. This article revisits the Turing paradigm to clarify why AI can convincingly simulate human dialogue without possessing understanding, intentionality, or moral agency. Drawing on theoretical computer science, philosophy of mind, and psychological research, the paper distinguishes between conversational appearance and psychological agency, as well as between syntactic processing and semantic understanding. Particular attention is given to the risks of anthropomorphic misattribution in clinical and forensic contexts. The article outlines practical implications for psychosocial professionals and argues that an accurate understanding of the Turing paradigm is essential for maintaining ethical standards, professional responsibility, and conceptual clarity in AI-mediated psychosocial work.

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