BACKGROUND (Bajwa, 2021).

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to significantly enhance healthcare delivery by enabling professionals to provide safer, standardised, and more effective care. For example, AI can simulate interventions before real-world application, improving decision-making and client outcomes. However, while AI offers clear benefits, particularly in physical health interventions, its role in psychosocial care—such as delivering psychological first aid (PFA) in disaster-affected areas—presents unique challenges.

On the positive side, AI could support psychosocial care by rapidly assessing mental health needs, guiding professionals in intervention selection, and providing real-time decision support in crisis situations. AI-driven tools could enhance accessibility, ensuring that affected populations receive timely care even when human professionals are scarce. Additionally, AI could assist in monitoring stress responses and predicting psychological risks, improving the overall effectiveness of PFA.

However, AI integration into psychosocial care faces significant limitations. Effective psychological first aid relies on human connection, empathy, and cultural sensitivity—elements that AI struggles to replicate. Moreover, the quality of AI-driven interventions depends on data accuracy, technical infrastructure, and the ethical use of AI in sensitive environments. Concerns about data privacy, bias in AI algorithms, and the risk of over-reliance on technology could hinder trust and effectiveness in crisis settings.

While AI can be a valuable tool in augmenting psychosocial care, it should complement rather than replace human-led interventions. The challenge lies in ensuring AI supports professionals without compromising the relational aspects of psychological care that are essential in disaster response.

'PFA-1000 and the Great Flood of 2035' - A THEATRE PRODUCTION

The background information discussed above contributes to the idea between this brief theatre production.

The 15 minutes on-stage theatre production, directed by occupational therapist and lead author, Dr Adam Lo OAM, will demonstrate the power of AI being utilised at a Disaster Recovery Hub of a rural town in delivering PFA to affected individuals and families.

The viewers will be able to see what the AI robot, the PFA-1000 sees, and the processes that it engages in when delivering PFA to people arriving at the Recovery Hub.

The setting is in the not-too-distant future, in 2035, where heavy prolonged rainfall has led to unprecedented flooding across many areas of Southeast Queensland. The 'PFA-1000', AI robot was activated at the Recovery Hub of the small fictional town of Charles' Landing, to provide PFA to the local population. Viewers will get to witness the exchanges between the PFA-1000 and the people arriving at the Hub, and formulate their ideas and perspectives on their observations and the broader implications, threats and opportunities identified.

The audience will then be able to participate in a Q & A session with the team, as well as having the opportunities to voice their opinions and feedback.