New Delhi: As artificial intelligence reshapes jobs and education, psychology has emerged as a surprisingly resilient and sought-after field, with Indian students increasingly pursuing degrees abroad amid a global surge in demand for mental health professionals.
Experts note that while AI excels in automation, it cannot replicate the nuances of human psychology, making the discipline irreplaceable. The rapid AI transformation is expected to affect mental health profoundly, amplifying issues like loneliness — which is rising at double speed — and necessitating deeper studies on psychological impacts.
Between 2020 and 2024, queries from Indian students for overseas psychology programs hit record highs, shifting away from traditional streams like engineering, medicine, and management. Globally, psychologist demand has jumped over 20%, yet India lags with merely 0.47 psychologists per lakh population, opening bumper domestic opportunities.
Career prospects shine brightly: abroad, salaries can reach up to ₹85 lakh annually in the US, with Britain offering one-year master’s for quick placements and Europe providing affordable options. Fields span mental health counselling, organisational psychology, and tackling AI-induced social changes.
This trend underscores psychology’s ‘career guarantee’ in an uncertain era, blending empathy with science for fulfilling, high-impact roles. As mental health gains priority worldwide, aspiring students find in psychology not just stability but a vital tool to navigate humanity’s evolving mindscape.