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09.16.2025
Tech Meets Mental Health at #ADAA2026 in Chicago: In Conversation with the Conference Co-Chairs
Olusola Alade Ajilore, MD, PhD
Heide Klumpp, PhD
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September 16, 2025
Tech Meets Mental Health at #ADAA2026 in Chicago: In Conversation with the Conference Co-Chairs
From April 9-11 in 2026, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) will host our annual conference in Chicago, focusing on how technology is changing the way we understand and treat mood and anxiety disorders.
ADAA members and conference co-chairs, Olusola Ajilore, MD, PhD, and Heide Klumpp, PhD, - two longtime collaborators from the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) - are passionate about blending science, technology, and appropriate care.
Meet the Co-Chairs
Dr. Ajilore, a psychiatrist and professor at UIC, directs UIC’s Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program and co-leads the CoNeCT Lab, where his team uses computational neuroimaging and digital biomarkers to track mental health disorders and test out new tech-based interventions.
Dr. Klumpp, a clinical psychologist and associate professor, combines her neuroscience background with clinical practice, using brain imaging to understand how therapy works while treating patients with anxiety and depression.
Their shared expertise and complementing work made them the natural choice to co-chair the 2026 conference in their hometown.
Why Technology? And Why Now?
The theme of the 2026 conference - Innovations in Technology Driving Clinical Care and Research in Mood and Anxiety Disorders - feels especially timely, say the co-chairs. Patients today are already turning to digital tools, from meditation apps to AI chatbots, to support their mental health. Therapists and researchers, meanwhile, need to stay connected and continue to improve on how to use these tools responsibly.
“It’s a natural fit given the research we do,” says Dr. Ajilore. “There’s a lot of excitement around these technologies, but we also need to be cautious. We want the conference to both energize researchers and clinicians, but to remind them to be thoughtful about how to apply them.”
Tech in mental health is already doing everything, such as:
- Helping doctors choose the right medications
- Triaging patients who might need hospitalization
- Analyzing clinical notes for blind spots in treatment
But with that power comes risk.
“Moving forward is important,” says Dr. Klumpp, “but we have to weigh the pros and cons. Patient privacy, confidentiality, and ethical care always come first.”
Generational Perspectives
One thing both co-chairs notice is the generational divide in how clinicians view technology.
“So many younger professionals have grown up with the technology so it’s second nature to them,” says Dr. Ajilore. “Others are learning to adapt. But no matter what stage of your career you’re in, these tools are becoming too common to ignore. Patients are using them and we need to work with them to provide the very best care.”
Dr. Klumpp adds that patient engagement is a major issue: many people drop out of digital therapy after just a couple of sessions. While AI may help make these platforms more interactive, it’s essential to involve patients in the design and application of these tools.
What to Expect at the Conference
The co-chairs are working with ADAA’s conference committee to line up expert speakers who have been studying technology and mental health for years. The goal is to bring nuance and perspective to a field that can sometimes be overwhelmed by hype.
Panel topics will range from privacy and safety concerns - like how many commercial apps still lack proper data protection - to the everyday ways AI can support clinical work.
For example, Dr. Ajilore relates how he has already experimented with using ChatGPT to double-check grant applications.
“I ran one of my old grants through ChatGPT, and it picked up on some of the same critiques that human reviewers had,” he told ADAA.
Chicago, ADAA, and Exciting Conversations
For both co-chairs, the real excitement lies in the conversations that will unfold in Chicago. They appreciate the strong, supportive community ADAA has provided in preparing for the conference and they look forward to hosting the event in their hometown.
“Working on this conference has shown me how committed members of ADAA are to bringing new ideas to the table,” said Dr. Klumpp.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone here for what we hope will be an inspiring, practical, and forward-looking conference, ” Dr. Ajilore added.
The Conference portal is open! Submit today and showcase your expertise and help shape the future of mental health treatment. This is your opportunity to: gain visibility, share innovative research, connect with global experts, and lead the conversation on artificial intelligence and mental health.
Olusola Alade Ajilore, MD, PhD
Heide Klumpp, PhD
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