Source: CNN

CNN, in an article by correspondent Jacqueline Howard, explores the growing but largely unregulated field of artificial intelligence-powered therapy and mental wellness apps. As these services become more popular, legal and medical experts are raising concerns about the lack of specific state and federal laws governing their use. Unlike human therapists, who are subject to strict licensing requirements and professional standards, AI therapy apps operate in a legal gray area. This regulatory vacuum creates significant risks for consumers, related to data privacy, the quality of care provided, and the protocols for handling crisis situations, such as users expressing suicidal thoughts.

The article highlights that while some apps are marketed as wellness tools to circumvent medical regulations, they are often used by individuals seeking genuine mental health support. Experts warn that the algorithms behind these apps may not be clinically validated and could provide harmful or inappropriate advice. There is a growing call from consumer advocates and health professionals for lawmakers to establish clear rules for AI therapy services. These would include requirements for transparency about how the AI works, data security standards to protect sensitive user information, and protocols to ensure that users in crisis are directed to human professionals, a critical safeguard that is currently not guaranteed.