Illinois just became the first U.S. state to ban AI chatbots from offering therapy.

In this episode of Relating to AI, host Paula Fontenelle talks with Representative Bob Morgan, the lawmaker behind the Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act (HB1806) — a bill that defines what therapists can and cannot do with AI.

The new law prohibits chatbots and companies from presenting themselves as therapists but it raises major questions:

• Why are therapists being regulated while AI companies are not?

• How will this law be enforced in a world where millions already use chatbots for emotional support?

• And what happens to clients who rely on AI to process their emotions between sessions?

This conversation dives into the ethics, accountability, and future of AI in mental health — and why this law could shape national policy.

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