Emotionally Intelligent Leadership in Mental Health AI with Dr. Gemma Sharp

Podcast
March 25, 2026•3 min read

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Episode Overview

In this episode of HeartWired, Dr. MJ is joined by researcher and AI innovator Dr. Gemma Sharp to explore how ethical, human-centered design is shaping the future of mental health technology. They discuss co-design, safety boundaries, and why AI must support—never replace—human care in high-stakes environments.

Show Notes

Welcome back to HeartWired! I’m Dr. MJ, your host, and in this episode, I’m joined by the remarkable Dr. Gemma Sharp, a powerhouse in the worlds of epidemiology, mental health, and ethical AI innovation. Gemma is not only a professor and globally-minded researcher but also the founder of the Global Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders and CEO of her own AI mental health technology company.

In this inspiring conversation, we dive deep into the intersection of mental health care and artificial intelligence. Dr. Gemma Sharp shares her journey from academia to entrepreneurship and charity leadership, all driven by her desire to create real-world impact. We discuss the importance of human-centered, co-designed AI, how to navigate conflicting stakeholder needs, and the critical ethical boundaries that must guide tech innovation in high-stakes domains like mental health.

Key Takeaways and Topics Covered

  • Why Diverse Roles Matter: Learn how Dr. Gemma Sharp integrates research, clinical experience, and tech leadership to drive meaningful change in mental health ([00:00:49]–[00:02:25]).

  • Co-Design in Practice: Discover the double diamond design model and how involving end-users from the start (those with lived experience, clinicians, advocates, and more) leads to safer, more effective AI tools ([00:05:28]–[00:07:59]).

  • Ethical Guardrails: Explore why “just because you can doesn’t mean you should” is Dr. Gemma Sharp’s mantra for AI development, and the risks of moving faster than governance and ethics allow ([00:12:22]–[00:14:28]).

  • Practical AI in Care: We differentiate between lower-risk uses (admin support, clinical notes, scheduling) and high-risk ones (AI as therapist substitutes), and why current technology is best viewed as an assistant, not a replacement ([00:15:01]–[00:17:27]).

  • Building Trust and Safety: Hear about GEM and EDS-E, two AI-driven tools Dr. Gemma Sharp has co-created, and why listening to user concerns led to “less fancy” but safer, trusted solutions ([00:17:37]–[00:19:42]).

  • Advice for Innovators: The most crucial question to answer before launching an AI mental health tool? Define safety boundaries and know exactly what’s in and out of scope ([00:20:18]–[00:21:01]).

  • Community Impact: Get introduced to the Global Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders, an inclusive, barrier-free organization aiming to welcome all voices in support and research ([00:21:21]–[00:23:23]).

If you’re a clinician, researcher, entrepreneur, or technologist curious about the future of mental health and AI, this episode is packed with wisdom, practical frameworks, and ethical insights. Dr. Gemma Sharp’s perspective balances optimism and caution, always centering technology as a support for, not a replacement of, human connection.

Learn more about eating disorders research or join the free Global Consortium: core-ed.com.au

Contact Dr. Gemma Sharp through Adelaide University, LinkedIn, or X for more on AI tools and consortium events.

If today’s conversation resonated with you, please share this episode with friends or colleagues interested in responsible AI, human-centered design, or mental health innovation. Subscribe to HeartWired for more thought leadership where tech meets human values and stay tuned for our next episode!

Thank you for being part of the HeartWired community. Your curiosity and commitment to emotional intelligence in the AI age make all the difference.

— Dr. MJ

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share HeartWired with leaders in your network who are ready to lead with both heart and intelligence in our rapidly changing world.

Thank you for listening—see you next episode!

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emotionally intelligent leadershipAI and leadershiphuman-centered AIleadership and trustEQ in the age of AIHeartWired podcast
Dr. MJ Vignone is an executive coach, speaker, and podcast host helping leaders thrive at the intersection of emotional intelligence and artificial intelligence. As founder of HeartWired Leadership and host of the HeartWired podcast, she empowers leaders to lead with empathy, authenticity, and emotional agility in a technology-driven world. With more than 20 years of leadership and organizational development experience, Dr. MJ blends evidence-based coaching with human insight to help leaders connect, perform, and inspire. She holds a Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Systems, an MBA, and is an ICF- accredited coach (ACC) certified in EQ-i 2.0, DISC, and MBTI.

Dr. MJ

Dr. MJ Vignone is an executive coach, speaker, and podcast host helping leaders thrive at the intersection of emotional intelligence and artificial intelligence. As founder of HeartWired Leadership and host of the HeartWired podcast, she empowers leaders to lead with empathy, authenticity, and emotional agility in a technology-driven world. With more than 20 years of leadership and organizational development experience, Dr. MJ blends evidence-based coaching with human insight to help leaders connect, perform, and inspire. She holds a Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Systems, an MBA, and is an ICF- accredited coach (ACC) certified in EQ-i 2.0, DISC, and MBTI.

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