Source: CNN

CNN reports on the significant regulatory gap concerning the use of artificial intelligence in mental health and therapy applications. As AI-powered wellness and therapy apps become increasingly popular, health and legal experts are raising alarms about the lack of specific state and federal laws to govern their use, ensure their efficacy, and protect vulnerable users. The article highlights that while these apps offer accessible and affordable mental health support, they operate in a legal gray area, often outside the purview of traditional medical and psychological regulatory bodies.

The author, Deidre McPhillips, explains that the core issues include data privacy, the quality of advice provided by AI chatbots, and the absence of clear protocols for when an app detects a user in severe crisis. Unlike licensed human therapists, who are bound by strict ethical codes and legal duties, AI apps currently face minimal oversight. Experts interviewed in the piece call for new legislation that would establish standards for these digital health tools, requiring greater transparency about their algorithms, independent validation of their clinical claims, and robust safeguards for user data. The lack of regulation, they argue, leaves consumers at risk of receiving inadequate care or having their sensitive personal information mishandled.