Illinois has made history by becoming the first state to ban AI tools, such as ChatGPT, from providing therapy, due to concerns over their reliability and ethical use in mental healthcare. The newly signed Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act (HB 1806) prohibits healthcare providers from using AI for therapeutic decisions or treatment planning, imposing fines of up to $10,000 for violations. However, therapists can still utilize AI for administrative tasks. This legislation comes in response to alarming instances where AI chatbots failed to recognize serious mental health issues. While some argue AI could fill gaps in a broken healthcare system, experts agree that reliance on AI for serious mental distress is problematic. Similar laws are emerging, like Utah’s, which mandates AI chatbots to disclose their nature. Ultimately, professionals emphasize that AI can assist but should not replace human therapists in delivering quality mental health care.
