Using AI as a Testing Psychologist
Using AI as a Testing Psychologist: Observations from the field.
AI is increasingly present in clinical settings, but for testing psychologists, the question is not whether AI can be used. The question is how to use it responsibly without compromising clinical judgment, rigor, or ethics.
This article outlines practical, appropriate ways testing psychologists are beginning to use AI today.
Start with Structure, Not Automation
The most effective use of AI in testing contexts begins before any content is generated.
AI performs best when it is given:
a clear report structure
defined sections such as history, testing, interpretation, and recommendations
explicit standards for tone and scope
Rather than asking an AI to write a report, clinicians see better results by first defining how they think and write, then letting AI assist within those boundaries.
This keeps the psychologist in control of the clinical logic while offloading repetitive formatting and organization.
Use AI to Organize and Synthesize Source Material
Testing psychologists work with large volumes of information, including intake notes, test data, prior reports, and collateral information.
AI can help organize and surface relevant information across these materials, reducing the need to manually reconstruct patient history from multiple documents.
Importantly, this use of AI is about orientation, not interpretation. The clinician still decides what matters, what is clinically meaningful, and how findings are understood.
Maintain Clear Provenance
One of the biggest risks of AI in clinical work is losing track of where information comes from.
Responsible use requires:
clear links between generated text and source material
the ability to trace statements back to original notes or records
clinician review of all outputs before use
AI should support transparency, not obscure it. When provenance is preserved, reports remain defensible and clinically sound.
Reduce Cognitive Load, Not Clinical Responsibility
Testing psychology is cognitively demanding work. Much of that load comes not from interpretation itself, but from holding complex histories in mind, tracking inconsistencies, and remembering what has already been documented.
AI can act as a cognitive scaffold, holding structure and context so the clinician does not have to. This reduces mental overhead without shifting responsibility.
Clinical judgment, interpretation, and final decisions always remain with the psychologist.
Use AI Incrementally
Most clinicians successfully adopt AI by starting with one case, using it for one part of the workflow such as history synthesis or report structuring, and evaluating whether it meaningfully reduces time or mental effort.
This incremental approach allows psychologists to maintain confidence in their work while exploring where AI provides genuine support.
Keep Ethics and Compliance Front and Center
AI tools used in testing contexts must align with professional and regulatory standards, including confidentiality and data handling requirements, informed clinical use, and clear boundaries around decision making.
AI should never administer tests, interpret scores independently, or make clinical determinations. Its role is supportive and assistive, not diagnostic.
A Tool for the Work Around Judgment
For testing psychologists, the promise of AI is not faster conclusions. It is less friction around the work that leads to conclusions.
When used thoughtfully, AI can reduce time spent writing, lower cognitive burden, and preserve clarity and provenance, while leaving the heart of clinical work judgment, interpretation, and care firmly in human hands.
