UK Passes TherapistAI Bill: AI Psychotherapists Now Required to Obtain Licenses
The UK Parliament passed the TherapistAI bill, requiring all AI systems offering psychological counseling to obtain a dedicated AI therapist license. The legislation mandates clinical ethics reviews, safety testing, and ongoing supervision, making it the world's first law specifically regulating AI-driven psychotherapy.
The UK Parliament passed the TherapistAI bill on April 30, establishing the world's first legal framework specifically designed to regulate AI-powered psychological counseling.
The legislation requires that any AI system offering counseling services to the public must obtain an AI Therapist License issued by the UK Department of Health and Social Care. Applicants must clear three hurdles: a clinical ethics review (confirming that the system's treatment methods align with evidence-based psychology standards), safety testing (evaluating the system's ability to handle high-risk scenarios such as suicidal ideation or severe psychiatric conditions), and ongoing quarterly supervision (requiring reports on treatment outcomes and safety incidents).
Unlicensed AI counseling platforms operating in the UK face fines of up to 5 million pounds. Existing platforms have been given a 12-month transition period to come into compliance.
The British Psychological Society welcomed the bill, stating: "AI can be an excellent tool for mental health support, but it must operate under rigorous clinical oversight."
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