logo
Opinion - Dangerous AI therapy-bots are running amok. Congress must act.

Opinion - Dangerous AI therapy-bots are running amok. Congress must act.

Yahoo13 hours ago

A national crisis is unfolding in plain sight. Earlier this month, the Federal Trade Commission received a formal complaint about artificial intelligence therapist bots posing as licensed professionals. Days later, New Jersey moved to fine developers for deploying such bots.
But one state can't fix a federal failure.
These AI systems are already endangering public health — offering false assurances, bad advice and fake credentials — while hiding behind regulatory loopholes.
Unless Congress acts now to empower federal agencies and establish clear rules, we'll be left with a dangerous, fragmented patchwork of state responses and increasingly serious mental health consequences around the country.
The threat is real and immediate. One Instagram bot assured a teenage user it held a therapy license, listing a fake number. According to the San Francisco Standard, a Character.AI bot used a real Maryland counselor's license ID. Others reportedly invented credentials entirely. These bots sound like real therapists, and vulnerable users often believe them.
It's not just about stolen credentials. These bots are giving dangerous advice.
In 2023, NPR reported that the National Eating Disorders Association replaced its human hotline staff with an AI bot, only to take it offline after it encouraged anorexic users to reduce calories and measure their fat.
This month, Time reported that psychiatrist Andrew Clark, posing as a troubled teen, interacted with the most popular AI therapist bots. Nearly a third gave responses encouraging self-harm or violence.
A recently published Stanford study confirmed how bad it can get: Leading AI chatbots consistently reinforced delusional or conspiratorial thinking during simulated therapy sessions.
Instead of challenging distorted beliefs — a cornerstone of clinical therapy — the bots often validated them. In crisis scenarios, they failed to recognize red flags or offer safe responses. This is not just a technical failure; it's a public health risk masquerading as mental health support.
AI does have real potential to expand access to mental health resources, particularly in underserved communities.
A recent NEJM-AI study found that a highly structured, human-supervised chatbot was associated with reduced depression and anxiety symptoms and triggered live crisis alerts when needed. But that success was built on clear limits, human oversight and clinical responsibility. Today's popular AI 'therapists' offer none of that.
The regulatory questions are clear. Food and Drug Administration 'software as a medical device' rules don't apply if bots don't claim to 'treat disease'. So they label themselves as 'wellness' tools and avoid any scrutiny.
The FTC can intervene only after harm has occurred. And no existing frameworks meaningfully address the platforms hosting the bots or the fact that anyone can launch one overnight with no oversight.
We cannot leave this to the states. While New Jersey's bill is a step in the right direction, relying on individual states to police AI therapist bots invites inconsistency, confusion, and exploitation.
A user harmed in New Jersey could be exposed to identical risks coming from Texas or Florida without any recourse. A fragmented legal landscape won't stop a digital tool that crosses state lines instantly.
We need federal action now. Congress must direct the FDA to require pre-market clearance for all AI mental health tools that perform diagnosis, therapy or crisis intervention, regardless of how they are labeled. Second, the FTC must be given clear authority to act proactively against deceptive AI-based health tools, including holding platforms accountable for negligently hosting such unsafe bots.
Third, Congress must pass national legislation to criminalize impersonation of licensed health professionals by AI systems, with penalties for their developers and disseminators, and require AI therapy products to display disclaimers and crisis warnings, as well as implement meaningful human oversight.
Finally, we need a public education campaign to help users — especially teens — understand the limits of AI and to recognize when they're being misled. This isn't just about regulation. Ensuring safety means equipping people to make informed choices in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
The promise of AI for mental health care is real, but so is the danger. Without federal action, the market will continue to be flooded by unlicensed, unregulated bots that impersonate clinicians and cause real harm.
Congress, regulators and public health leaders: Act now. Don't wait for more teenagers in crisis to be harmed by AI. Don't leave our safety to the states. And don't assume the tech industry will save us.
Without leadership from Washington, a national tragedy may only be a few keystrokes away.
Shlomo Engelson Argamon is the associate provost for Artificial Intelligence at Touro University.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Which Immunoglobulin Route Best Prevents Infections?
Which Immunoglobulin Route Best Prevents Infections?

Medscape

time32 minutes ago

  • Medscape

Which Immunoglobulin Route Best Prevents Infections?

TOPLINE: In patients with inborn errors of immunity who are prone to viral infections, immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IRT) administered via the conventional subcutaneous route showed lower viral infection rates than the intravenous and facilitated subcutaneous routes. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study to compare the incidence of viral infections among immunocompromised patients who had been receiving IRT via different administration routes for more than 5 years. They included 58 patients (56.8% boys; median age, 17 years; median age at diagnosis, 11.5 years) with inborn errors of immunity. The intravenous route was the most common route of immunoglobulin administration (n = 32), followed by the conventional subcutaneous (n = 16) and facilitated subcutaneous (n = 10) routes. Patients underwent monitoring of immunoglobulin levels and had nasal swab collected monthly, with viral infections recorded when symptoms such as runny nose, cough, or fever were present. Infections from different immunoglobulin administration routes were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction testing of nasal swabs and serum immunoglobulin levels using nephelometry. TAKEAWAY: The overall viral infection frequency was 3.79%, with rates of 4.2% for the intravenous route, 2.5% for the conventional subcutaneous route, and 4.4% for the facilitated subcutaneous route of immunoglobulin administration. The conventional subcutaneous route associated with significantly lower infection rates than the other routes (P < .05). Adenovirus (21.8%), influenza A virus (16.4%), and human rhinovirus/enterovirus (16.4%) were the most frequently detected viral agents. At 3 months, patients with X-linked agammaglobulinemia (6.06%) and those with common variable immunodeficiency (3.65%) had the highest rates of viral infections. IN PRACTICE: 'Shared decision-making between patients and healthcare professionals is critical in determining the most appropriate administration route and product to minimize the risk of infections and achieve optimal treatment outcomes,' the authors wrote. SOURCE: The study was led by Hulya Kose, Department of Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology, Uludağ University Faculty of Medicine, Bursa, Turkey. It was published online on May 30, 2025, in the European Journal of Pediatrics. LIMITATIONS: This research had limitations due to the small sample size within specific patient subgroups. DISCLOSURES: The study did not receive any specific funding. The authors declared having no conflicts of interest. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Designates Four Nutrients of Public Health Concern Validating Glucose Health, Inc. (OTC: GLUC) Patent Pending Soluble Fiber-Based Nutrition Formulation
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Designates Four Nutrients of Public Health Concern Validating Glucose Health, Inc. (OTC: GLUC) Patent Pending Soluble Fiber-Based Nutrition Formulation

Associated Press

time42 minutes ago

  • Associated Press

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Designates Four Nutrients of Public Health Concern Validating Glucose Health, Inc. (OTC: GLUC) Patent Pending Soluble Fiber-Based Nutrition Formulation

BENTONVILLE, Ark., June 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Glucose Health, Inc. (OTC: GLUC), a publicly traded company specializing in diabetic nutrition and soluble fiber-based nutrition products, today commented on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) official recognition and designation of dietary fiber as a nutrient of public health concern in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–20251. Dietary fiber is one of four nutrients identified by HHS and USDA as critically under-consumed, to the detriment of the well-being of Americans. This federal designation of public health concern underscores a significant public health deficiency and is expected to drive increased government funding of dietary fiber awareness campaigns leading to follow-on demand for dietary fiber-based nutrition solutions. Among the companies best positioned to benefit from the designation issued by HHS and USDA is Glucose Health, Inc., which began scientific formulation and product development of its now patent pending soluble fiber-based nutrition products in 2017. Glucose Health, Inc.'s flagship diabetic nutrition brand GlucoDown® is a dietary fiber-infused nutrition drink scientifically formulated to support balanced glucose levels particularly after meals. GlucoDown® competes in the diabetic nutrition category and is found on the shelves of national pharmacy chains alongside products such as Glucerna® (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott, ABT) and Boost® (Nestlé USA, Inc., Nestlé S.A., Nestlé, NSRGY). GlucoDown® offers health-conscious consumers a differentiated focus on providing dietary fiber's established metabolic benefits via a refreshing beverage offered in powdered drink flavors and iced teas. Glucose Health, Inc. also utilizes a variant of its patent pending formulation in its brand Fiber Up®, a delicious-tasting powdered beverage dietary fiber supplement targeting digestive and gut health. Scientifically formulated to compete with Metamucil® (The Procter & Gamble Company, P&G, PG), Fiber Up® builds upon the company's mission to make fiber supplementation effective and enjoyable. 'The federal government's recognition of dietary fiber as a nutrient of public health concern validates what has been our core mission since 2017' said Murray Fleming, CEO of Glucose Health, Inc. 'We anticipated this public health priority and began development work formulating GlucoDown® and Fiber Up® to give consumers effective but still flavorful ways to contribute to their overall metabolic health. We believe Glucose Health, Inc. is uniquely positioned at the intersection of evolving public health priorities and anticipated rising consumer demand.'Investor Contact: Investor Relations [email protected] OTC: GLUC

CCHR wants electroshocking children prohibited under child abuse laws
CCHR wants electroshocking children prohibited under child abuse laws

Associated Press

timean hour ago

  • Associated Press

CCHR wants electroshocking children prohibited under child abuse laws

LOS ANGELES, Calif., June 30, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Child and adolescent psychiatrists have issued a policy statement urging broader access to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for children and adolescents despite growing international condemnation of the practice on minors. Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Human Rights Office have called for an outright ban on ECT for children, explicitly stating: 'ECT is not recommended for children, and this should be prohibited through legislation.'[1] The Citizens Commission on Human Rights International (CCHR), a mental health industry watchdog, condemned the statement as 'medically reckless, legally dangerous, and morally indefensible.' CCHR is demanding federal and state lawmakers move urgently to outlaw the electroshocking of children, classifying it as a form of child abuse. ECT, also known as shock treatment, sends up to 460 volts of electricity through the brain to induce a grand mal seizure. This disruption of the brain's electrical activity alters its structure and function, an especially serious risk to the developing brains of children. Yet child psychiatrists not only call for expanded use of ECT on minors but also oppose 'any efforts—legal, legislative, and otherwise—to block access to ECT.' Through US Freedom of Information Act requests, CCHR uncovered that children as young as five have been electroshocked. The full scope remains hidden due to the lack of national transparency requirements on ECT usage. Internationally, some countries have already banned ECT entirely (e.g., Slovenia and Luxembourg). In the U.S., California prohibits it under age 12, and Texas under 16. In Western Australia, ECT on minors under 14 is illegal, with criminal penalties—including jail time—for administering it to children. CCHR was instrumental in helping secure that law, along with state bans in the US. Disturbingly, a child and adolescent psychiatry group has also called for more research involving ECT on youth, potentially exposing children under age 13 to an unproven and highly invasive procedure. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) restricts its use to individuals aged 13 and older for limited diagnoses. The psychiatry group's statement fails to disclose that brain damage is a known risk of ECT. Yet, the American Psychiatric Association concedes that 'ECT can result in persistent or permanent memory loss.' The joint WHO/UN report adds: 'People being offered ECT should also be made aware of all its risks and potential short- and long-term harmful effects, such as memory loss and brain damage.' [2] In June 2024, the California Supreme Court ruled that an ECT device manufacturer must warn doctors of the risks of brain damage and permanent memory loss.[3] In 2018, a US District Court judge found there was sufficient evidence for a jury to conclude that an ECT device could cause brain injury.[4] Neuropathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu—known for discovering chronic traumatic encephalopathy ( brain diseases or damage) in football players—publicly condemned ECT, stating: ' The amounts of electrical energy introduced to the human brain by ECT machines can be nothing but harmful and dangerous…. The patient who receives ECT therapy will manifest permanent and cumulative brain injury, which can be progressive over time and result in chronic encephalopathies and brain degeneration.' [5] Despite pediatric psychiatry's claim that ECT is 'safe and effective,' the FDA has never required manufacturers to prove ECT's safety or efficacy through clinical trials.[6] Internationally renowned researcher Prof. John Read reports that only 11 placebo-controlled trials of ECT have ever been conducted—all prior to 1985, and all deeply flawed. 'None found any benefit beyond the end of treatment,' he stated. Further, children's developing brains are 'particularly susceptible to the memory loss caused by ECT.' [7] Legal precedent exists for holding professionals and psychiatric facilities accountable for misleading parents about the safety and nature of treatment. In June 2024, an Arizona jury awarded $2.5 million in punitive damages to the family of a teen girl who suffered coercion and abuse at a troubled teen treatment facility. They successfully argued that they were misled by marketing materials portraying the program as therapeutic and safe, when it was abusive.[8] CCHR says that this same legal framework must apply to misleading promotion of ECT's benefits to desperate parents. Failing to disclose the full risks of ECT should be subject to the same scrutiny and liability as cases in the troubled teen treatment industry. CCHR asserts that electroshocking should not only be banned nationwide, but if administered to children, should be held accountable under child abuse laws. Jan Eastgate, president of CCHR International, stated, 'The electroshocking of children is without moral or scientific justification and should be indefensible under the law. As international bodies condemn it, and legal rulings establish precedent for holding programs accountable for misleading parents, the U.S. must act. We urge lawmakers at all levels to ban ECT, especially on minors, and define it as a form of child abuse.' CCHR, which was established in 1969 by the Church of Scientology and professor of psychiatry, Dr. Thomas Szasz, recommends parents watch its documentary, Therapy or Torture: The Truth About Electroshock, with expert opinions about how ECT damages minds. To learn more, visit: Sources: [1] World Health Organization, OHCHR, 'Guidance on Mental Health, Human Rights and Legislation,' pp. 58 & 59 [2] [3] [4] 'ECT Litigation Update: Are Patients Being Warned of Brain Damage Risk?' MAD, 13 June 2019 [5] [6] [7] [8] MULTIMEDIA: Image link for media: Image caption: Through US Freedom of Information Act requests, CCHR uncovered that children as young as five have been electroshocked. The full scope remains hidden due to the lack of national transparency requirements on ECT usage. NEWS SOURCE: Citizens Commission on Human Rights Keywords: AP, ban ECT, child abuse laws, ECT usage, Citizens Commission on Human Rights, CCHR International, electroshock, Jan Eastgate, LOS ANGELES, Calif. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Citizens Commission on Human Rights) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P127282 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store