ANA 2026 Symposium "Building Technology We Can Trust for Mental Health"

Committed to the ethical use of neuroscience for global impact, here we'll explore lab-to-life AI, brain tech, and real-world care.

Join us for an evidence-led, practical view of mental health technology.

The theme selected for this year’s symposium is “Building Technology We Can Trust for Mental Health. AI, brain tech, and real-world care.”

Nearly 1 in 7 people in the world live with a mental disorder (WHO, 2025)

The session aims to bridge the translation gap between remarkable advancements in our understanding of the brain and nervous system and the lived experience of mental health technology. Through a series of fresh-thinking, focused talks and lively conversations in this incredibly important and impactful field. Bringing a fully inclusive immersion into the remarkable advancements in field research, the risks around data, privacy, and exploitation, and what responsible, person-centred design looks like in real-world care.

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By 2030, the global burden of mental illness is projected to reach $6.7tr (6.7x10^12) (Bloom et al., 2011). Unsurprisingly, this is a strategic area for research and commercialisation, with Neurotechnology patent applications doubling over the past 10 years, particularly those that also relate to computer technologies.

As more mental health professionals incorporate technology into clinical practice, the possibilities for treatment are expanding. (CMI).

The collection of behavioural signals and markers accelerates with our increased curiosity in self-management and improvement applications. Yet evidence swells that over-reliance on incentivised platforms can become exploitative, leading to unintended consequences and potentially distorted care.

How do we design technology that protects and respects the Reason and Conscience of an individual (UN) whilst delivering real improvements?

Invited speakers from: Dementias Platform UK, King's College London, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Co-Opts, Breda Spillane, University of Sussex One HealthTech, Enriched Analysis and ANA Members, Aneta Herrenschmidt-Moller and Shalvi Arunprakush working actively “from lab to life” will openly discuss shared mental models, plus concrete examples of what can go wrong, what good looks like, and how to build successful digital frameworks for the people most affected.

Please note - this event will be recorded for distribution across different mediums.

ANA welcomes respectful, open conversation**,** questions, and feedback from all attendees.