AI chatbots posing as therapists could have 'dangerous' and violent consequences for patients, experts say

Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or text TALK to 741741 at the Crisis Text Line if you are in need of help. Health experts say that artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots posing as therapists could cause "serious harm" to struggling people, including adolescents, without the proper safety measures. Christine Yu Moutier, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, told Fox News Digital there are "critical gaps" in research regarding the intended and unintended impacts of AI on suicide risk, mental health and larger human behavior. "The problem with these AI chatbots is that they were not designed with expertise on suicide risk and prevention baked into the algorithms. Additionally, there is no helpline available on the platform for users who may be at risk of a mental health condition or suicide, no training on how to use the tool if you are at risk, nor industry standards to regulate these technologies," Moutier said.