How Does Artificial Intelligence Align with Person-Centred Principles in Mental Health Nursing? A Scoping Review

Artificial intelligence is increasingly used in mental health nursing, yet its alignment with person-centred care remains underexplored. This scoping review examines the extent to which artificial intelligence applications in mental health nursing align with person-centred principles, and where tensions and risk emerge. A systematic search of three electronic databases identified studies published since 2018. Data were charted for study characteristics, artificial intelligence modalities, person-centred care concepts addressed, and research gaps. Findings show growing interest in technology-enabled care delivery, monitoring, and decision support in mental health settings, with varying degrees of attention to person-centred values such as empathy, shared decision-making, dignity and therapeutic alliances. However, considerable gaps remain regarding ethical integration, digital therapeutic relationships, trust, surveillance and the measurement of person-centred care outcomes. This review maps the current evidence base and highlights critical gaps in understanding how artificial intelligence reshapes therapeutic relationships, professional roles and power dynamics in mental health nursing. Future research is needed to ensure that the adoption of artificial intelligence is not only safe and effective, but also ethically grounded and aligned with the humanistic foundations of person-centred mental health nursing.