Illinois Lawmakers Pass Bill Banning AI Therapists

Some things you really do just need humans for.

Don't even get me started on AI. It seems to be taking over the world. People are falling in love with AI chatbots they program. Oy.

Now, lawmakers in Illinois are working on a bill that bans AI therapists in the state. It's called the "The Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act".

According to WTVO, the bill mandates that only a licensed professional can provide therapeutic or psychotherapeutic services to another person.

It also says that professionals cannot use AI for "independent therapeutic decisions, client interactions, or creating treatment plans" without review from a licensed professional.

Illinois House Rep. Bob Morgan (D) sponsored the bill, saying:

The way that A.I. is ensuring and evolving in a matter of weeks versus years, I think that should alarm everybody, regardless of their political persuasion. So, I still think that this provision will be changed. We’ll see what the United States Congress ends up doing on this issue.

Morgan introduced the bill back in January.

Now, it is headed to Governor Pritzker's desk awaiting signature.

Illinois isn't the only state to take action against AI therapy. New Jersey and New York also have proposed legislation going that would ban AI from acting as a licensed professional counselor or mental health specialist. This month, Nevada did pass a law that prevents AI from offering services that would be considered professional mental or behavioral healthcare.

Other states have regulations on AI therapy. North Carolina has a bill that would require AI therapists to be licensed. A Texas bill would require AI counselors to be supervised by an actual professional. Utah allows counselor chatbots but it has to be clearly disclosed that it is AI and not a human.