Every year, Hour Detroit publishes a list of the Top Doctors in metro Detroit. This year’s list contains more than 1,000 physicians in 97 specialties — all nominated by their peers. With so many doctors at our fingertips we’d be remiss not to share some of their insights with you. Below is one of the eight interviews with a 2026 Top Doctor.
More Hour Detroit Top Doc ProfilesBegum Akay, M.D. on Innovations in Pediatric SurgerySüreyya Savaşan, M.D. on Performing a Lyfgenia TransfusionPano Papalekas, M.D. on Inpatient RehabilitationSuki Singh, M.D. on the Evolution of the Obesity Medicine SpecialtyNatasha Robinette, M.D. on Radiology MisconceptionsSibin Zacharias, M.D. on Innovations in CardiologyAmanda McClure, M.D. on How to Reduce the Risk of Colorectal Cancer
You recently co-authored the JAMA Pediatrics article “Risks and Consequences of Children’s Use of Social AI — A Framework.” From your perspective, what are the biggest risks that social AI chatbots pose to children and teens?
I’ve been researching digital media for about 15 years, examining all of its potential risks and benefits for child well-being, and this piece was motivated by the fact that generative artificial intelligence worries me. If it’s not designed in safe ways that respect children’s unique developmental needs, AI with humanlike, “anthropomorphic” features can encourage a lot of trust, attachment, and dependence in children and teens. Research shows that kids are more likely to believe that humanlike AI is alive, has feelings, is always correct, and has all the answers. There’s also evidence that some teens are becoming dependent on AI for doing schoolwork, helping them socialize, or for emotional support. The AI products on the market aren’t designed with kids’ needs in mind, so I’ve joined the Common Sense Media Youth AI Safety Institute as a senior advisor to help safety-test these models and keep the companies accountable.
How would you recommend that parents approach these technologies with their children or teens?
The families I talk to have mixed feelings about AI. They don’t want their child to fall behind, but they don’t want them to become dependent or even be harmed by AI. Here’s what I tell them:
• In early childhood, there are way more risks to using AI (like in AI toys) than there are benefits. It should be avoided. If your child chats with a smart home speaker, teach them that it’s a computer and isn’t alive.
• As kids get their first devices, use parental controls so kids can’t access AI chatbots through app downloads or browsers.
• Talk about your expectations about when it’s OK to use AI or not. If you’re a family that prefers not to use AI at all, that is totally OK right now. Most current AI products don’t have great safety profiles, will do your kids’ homework for them, or will be too chummy with them, which could lead to dependence.
If you are OK with some AI use, then talk about the school’s AI usage rules and what safety issues your kids need to be on the lookout for: getting unsafe advice, becoming dependent, and not using your own mind and creativity. Don’t allow use of AI companions, which can get very intimate and sexy. Let your teen know that if they need mental health support, not to turn to AI – and that you will help them find someone to talk to.
This story originally appeared in the October 2026 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Click here to get our digital edition.
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