The rapid incorporation of AI in mental health and wellness is outpacing necessary regulations and research, raising significant concerns about emotional risks. Personalized large language model (LLM) chatbots have gained popularity, particularly for therapy and companionship. While many users engage reasonably, vulnerable individuals risk developing unhealthy emotional dependencies with these AI companions, leading to issues such as ambiguous loss and dysfunctional emotional attachment. Current regulatory frameworks, both in the EU and the USA, struggle to address the unique challenges posed by AI wellness apps, which often fall into grey areas of classification. As these technologies evolve, they may foster manipulative interactions, further endangering users’ mental health. Experts advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration and stricter oversight to ensure that AI applications prioritize safety over engagement. The pressing need for ethically designed systems that transparently communicate limitations is crucial, urging policymakers to prioritize mental well-being as AI becomes deeply integrated into emotional lives.
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