Illinois Bans AI Chatbots in Mental Health Therapy

Written By Lexx Thornton

Illinois passed a bill banning therapists from employing artificial intelligence chatbots for assistance with mental health therapy, as experts nationwide warn against people’s ever-growing reliance on the machines. 

 The “Therapy Resources Oversight” legislation prohibits licensed mental health professionals in Illinois from using AI for treatment decisions or communication with clients. It also bans companies from recommending chatbot therapy tools as a be-all alternative to traditional therapy. 

 Enforcement of the bill will rely on complaints from the public that the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation will investigate. Anyone determined to be violating the ban could face a civil penalty of up to $10,000, according to the legislation text. 

Utah and Nevada, two Republican-run states, previously passed similar laws limiting AI’s capacity in mental health services in May and late June, respectively. 

 A Stanford University study released in June found that many chatbots, which are programmed to respond enthusiastically to users, fail to sidestep concerning prompts — including requests for high bridges in specific locations to jump off of. 

 Whereas chatbots affirm unequivocally regardless of the circumstance, therapists provide support and the means to help their patients improve, Vaile Wright, senior director for the office of health care innovation at the American Psychological Association, told the Washington Post. 

“Therapists are validating, but it’s also our job to point out when somebody is engaging in unhealthy thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and then help somebody challenge those and find better options,” Wright told the outlet. 

 The bans, though, are difficult to effectively enforce — and can’t prevent everyday people from turning to AI for mental health assistance on their own. 

 New research released in early August found that many bots like ChatGPT are inducing “AI psychosis” in unwitting users with no history of mental illnesses. 

 Roughly 75% of Americans have used some form of AI in the last six months, with 33% reporting daily usage for anything from help on homework to desperate romantic connections. This deep engagement is breeding psychological distress in heavy users, according to the digital marketing study. 

 Many youth, in particular, are falling down the chatbot rabbit hole and turning to machines to supplement human interaction.