Two bills from @TinaSpearsRI and @LoriUrsoRI to create artificial intelligence safety guidelines related to suicidal ideation and mental health treatment have been signed into law. The bills are part of the Senate’s 17-bill package of healthcare legislation. “AI chatbots are a new kind of technology that provide an experience that to many users feels like speaking to a friend or a therapist. But chatbots aren’t human and they do not live up to the professional standards of a trained therapist,” said Rep. Spears. “This legislation puts up necessary guardrails to protect the users of chatbots, because, as we have seen in too many tragic instances, the products are not currently equipped to deal with users experiencing a crisis in a safe and responsible manner. Whether at home or in a clinical setting, human oversight and thoughtful safety regulation are necessary to keep Rhode Islanders safe from a growing and untested technology.” In written testimony submitted in support of the bill, @FamilyServiceRI, which provides behavioral health and social services across the state, wrote “an over-dependence on AI to guide clinical treatment can result in errant decision-making and harmful outcomes in client care. We fully support the implementation of regulations regarding the use of AI in mental healthcare treatments to ensure all clients are properly informed of the details and the specific purpose for the use of AI in their treatment.” More information: rilegislature.gov/pressrelea…