Abstract
This reply addresses concerns raised in the Matters Arising letter, emphasizing the rigor of our empirical study on student well-being outcomes with ISAs. We clarify methodological decisions, address speculative claims regarding Replika's marketing and usage, and highlight our study's focus on peer-reviewed, evidence-based findings. Ethical considerations and potential conflicts of interest are transparently discussed, reinforcing our commitment to scientific integrity and advancing knowledge in the field of AI and mental health.