Latest news with #licensedtherapists
Fast Company
5 days ago
- Health
- Fast Company
The quiet ban that could change how AI talks to you
As AI chatbots become ubiquitous, states are looking to put up guardrails around AI and mental health before it's too late. With millions of people turning to AI for advice, chatbots have begun posing as free, instant therapists – a phenomenon that, right now, remains almost completely unregulated. In the vacuum of regulation on AI, states are stepping in to quickly erect guardrails where the federal government hasn't. Earlier this month, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed a bill into law that limits the use of AI in therapy services. The bill, the Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act, blocks the use of AI to ' provide mental health and therapeutic decision-making,' while still allowing licensed mental health professionals to employ AI for administrative tasks like note taking. The risks inherent in non-human algorithms doling out mental health guidance are myriad, from encouraging recovering addicts to have a ' small hit of meth ' to engaging young users so successfully that they withdraw from their peers. One recent study found that nearly a third of teens find conversations with AI as satisfying or more satisfying than real-life interactions with friends. States pick up the slack, again In Illinois, the new law is designed to 'protect patients from unregulated and unqualified AI products, while also protecting the jobs of Illinois' thousands of qualified behavioral health providers,' according to the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR), which coordinated with lawmakers on the legislation. 'The people of Illinois deserve quality healthcare from real, qualified professionals and not computer programs that pull information from all corners of the internet to generate responses that harm patients,' IDFPR Secretary Mario Treto, Jr said. Violations of the law can result in a $10,000 fine. Illinois has a history of successfully regulating new technologies. The state's Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), which governs the use of facial recognition and other biometric systems for Illinois residents, has tripped up many tech companies accustomed to operating with regulatory impunity. That includes Meta, a company that's now all-in on AI, including chatbots like the ones that recently made chats some users believed to be private public in an open feed. Earlier this year, Nevada enacted its own set of new regulations on the use of AI in mental health services, blocking AI chatbots from representing themselves as 'capable of or qualified to provide mental or behavioral health care.' The law also prevents schools from using AI to act as a counselor, social worker or psychologist or from performing other duties related to the mental health of students. Earlier this year, Utah added its own restrictions around the mental health applications of AI chatbots, though its regulations don't go as far as Illinois or Nevada. The risks are serious In February, the American Psychological Association met with U.S. regulators to discuss the dangers of AI chatbots pretending to be therapists. The group presented its concerns to an FTC panel, citing a case last year of a 14-year-old in Florida who died by suicide after becoming obsessed with a chatbot made bt the company 'They are actually using algorithms that are antithetical to what a trained clinician would do,' APA Chief Executive Arthur C. Evans Jr. told The New York Times. 'Our concern is that more and more people are going to be harmed. People are going to be misled, and will misunderstand what good psychological care is.' We're still learning more about those risks. A recent study out of Stanford found that chatbots marketing themselves for therapy often stigmatized users dealing with serious mental health issues and issued responses that could be inappropriate or even dangerous. 'LLM-based systems are being used as companions, confidants, and therapists, and some people see real benefits,' co-author and Stanford Assistant Professor Nick Haber said. 'But we find significant risks, and I think it's important to lay out the more safety-critical aspects of therapy and to talk about some of these fundamental differences.'
Washington Post
7 days ago
- Health
- Washington Post
Illinois bans AI therapy as some states begin to scrutinize chatbots
Illinois last week banned the use of artificial intelligence in mental health therapy, joining a small group of states regulating the emerging use of AI-powered chatbots for emotional support and advice. Licensed therapists in Illinois are now forbidden from using AI to make treatment decisions or communicate with clients, though they can still use AI for administrative tasks. Companies are also not allowed to offer AI-powered therapy services — or advertise chatbots as therapy tools — without the involvement of a licensed professional. Nevada passed a similar set of restrictions on AI companies offering therapy services in June, while Utah also tightened regulations for AI use in mental health in May but stopped short of banning the use of AI.
Khaleej Times
29-05-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
Step into the spotlight: Craft your signature look from skin to silhouette
Unveil your inner beauty at Milyne Aesthetic Center, Dubai's premier destination for personalised beauty and self-care. Nestled along the scenic Dubai Creek, this luxurious sanctuary is revolutionizing the approach to advanced skincare and body treatments. Milyne Aesthetic Center transcends traditional beauty services to become a transformative haven. Committed to enhancing each patron's natural allure, Milyne offers customized treatments that combine non-invasive and advanced invasive techniques. Patrons can enjoy world-renowned therapies such as Morpheus8, HydraFacial, and DMK facials, alongside cutting-edge body contouring solutions like Endospheres and BTL Exilis. Each treatment is thoughtfully tailored to meet individual beauty aspirations, providing a unique and personal experience that redefines aesthetic care. • Complimentary consultations with licensed therapists and doctors for all clients. • Exclusive introductory offer: Enjoy 10% off invasive treatments and 20% off other services on your first visit. • Multilingual expert team speaking Russian, English, Spanish, Lithuanian, Thai, and Tagalog • No aesthetic treatments without prior consultation with experienced specialists — because your safety and results come first.
