Illinois Set to Regulate AI Therapy Chatbots with New Bill

Illinois is poised to become the first state to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) tools in mental health care, as stated in a press release. The Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources (WOPR) Act, also known as House Bill 1806, has passed the Illinois General Assembly unanimously and now awaits the signature of Governor J.B. Pritzker.

The WOPR Act sets a national precedent by prohibiting unlicensed AI chatbots from providing or advertising therapy services to the public. This legislation aims to ensure that mental health care is delivered by trained professionals rather than unregulated AI technologies. The bill responds to the increasing use of AI-driven "therapy" apps, which are often marketed to vulnerable groups such as youth and underserved communities without proper oversight or adherence to privacy laws like HIPAA.

Under the new legislation, AI can be used for administrative or research purposes but is restricted from interacting directly with clients or delivering therapy. The bill's name, WOPR, is inspired by the fictional supercomputer in the 1983 film WarGames, symbolizing the importance of ethical considerations in AI applications. Kyle Hillman, Director of Legislative Affairs for NASW-Illinois, emphasized that the act is not a ban on AI but a call for innovation grounded in ethics, especially in mental health care.