Third state restricts use of artificial intelligence in mental health industry as experts warn about ‘AI psychosis’

Illinois passed a bill banning therapists from employing artificial intelligence chatbots for assistance with mental health therapy, as experts countrywide warn against people’s ever-growing reliance on the machines.

The “Therapy Resources Oversight” legislation prohibits licensed mental health professionals in Illinois from using AI for treatment decisions or communication with clients. It also bans companies from recommending chatbot therapy tools as a be-all alternative to traditional therapy.

Enforcement of the bill will rely on complaints from the public that the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation will investigate. Anyone determined to be violating the ban could face a civil penalty of up to $10,000, according to the legislation text.

Utah and Nevada, two Republican-run states, previously passed similar laws limiting AI’s capacity in mental health services in May and late June, respectively.

Unregulated chatbots can take harmless conversations in any direction, sometimes incidentally leading people into divulging sensitive information or pushing people who are already in vulnerable situations to do something drastic, like take their own life, experts have warned.