Petition for Federal Legislation to Regulate Artificial Intelligence in Mental Health Care
To: Members of Congress and Federal Regulatory Agencies
Subject: Enacting Safeguards Against AI Abuse in Mental Health Care
We, the undersigned, call upon the federal government to develop comprehensive legislation to regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in mental health care. While AI presents extraordinary opportunities to revolutionize mental health treatment, the absence of robust federal oversight exposes patients to privacy violations, biased decisions, and unethical applications.
Why This Matters
- Protecting Sensitive Data: AI tools process deeply sensitive mental health data, requiring strong privacy protections to safeguard against breaches and misuse.
- Ensuring Transparency and Accountability: AI systems must disclose how decisions are made and who is accountable for errors or harm.
- Addressing Bias and Inequality: Regulation can ensure fairness and prevent AI from perpetuating systemic biases in care delivery.
- Mandating Safety and Efficacy Standards: AI tools must meet rigorous benchmarks before use in mental health contexts.
- Maintaining Ethical Oversight: Human oversight must remain central to ensure empathetic, personalized care.
Legislative Recommendations
- National AI Standards: Define ethical guidelines for developing and using AI in mental health care.
- Certification of AI Tools: Require clinical trials and federal approval for AI applications.
- Enhanced Privacy Protections: Expand laws to address vulnerabilities unique to AI tools.
- Transparency Requirements: Mandate clear disclosures about AI decision-making processes and risks.
- Equity Provisions: Ensure AI tools reduce disparities in access and outcomes.
- Ethical Oversight: Establish monitoring and accountability mechanisms to prevent misuse.
Sign this petition today to support responsible innovation in mental health care.