A law limiting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in therapy and psychotherapy services, adopted unanimously by the two chambers of the General Assembly of Illinois, has just come into force.
« This legislation testifies to our commitment to preserving the well-being of our residents, ensuring that mental health services are provided by qualified experts who prioritize patient care “Explains Mario Treto, JR, Secretary of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation of Illinois (IDFPR).
This ” well-being and monitoring of psychological resources »Prohibited for anyone from using AI for” Provide mental health and therapeutic decision -making services ». On the other hand, it authorizes behavioral health professionals approved to use AI for administrative tasks.
Companies are also not authorized to offer therapy services powered by AI, or to advertise chatbots and “ services provided to diagnose, treat or improve the mental or behavioral health of an individual “, Unless they are provided by an authorized professional, specifies the Washington Post.
This law, the result of a ” fruitful collaboration “Between the IDFPR, the representatives of the two chambers of the General Assembly of Illinois and the local section of the National Association of Social Workers,” will protect patients against unregulated and unskilled AI products, while protecting jobs from thousands of qualified behavioral health providers from Illinois “Said the press release.
« More and more often, we discover how unskilled and unauthorized chatbots can be harmful by providing dangerous and non -clinical advice when people are in a moment of great need “Explains Bob Morgan, the main state lawyer for health care:
« The inhabitants of Illinois will always have access to many therapeutic relaxation and appeasement applications, but we will put an end to those who try to attack the most vulnerable of us, who need real mental health services. »
Bob Morgan had previously made himself known for having helped the Illinois to be the first state to legalize, by legislative means, cannabis for recreational use, a legalization which it justified both in the name of public health and the reform of criminal justice.