The Illinois government has removed its citizens' option of using AI chatbots as standalone mental health therapists.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has signed a bill into law banning AI therapy in the state. This makes Illinois the first state to regulate the use of AI in mental health services. The law highlights that only licensed professionals are allowed to offer counseling services in the state and forbids AI chatbots or tools from acting as a stand-alone therapist.
Folks who don't want to use AI therapists shouldn't have to, and folks who do want to ought to be able to.
There are surely folks who want or would benefit from AI therapy who can't afford government-approved therapists, or who think AI therapy will do as well as or better than government-approved therapists.
The quoted text is from Engadget's article at https://www.engadget.com/ai/illinois-is-the-first-state-to-ban-ai-therapists-145755797.html.
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