Artificial intelligence is quietly making its way into mental health support, but experts are sounding the alarm. Kelly Merrill Jr., a University of Cincinnati researcher who studies the impact of technology on health communication, is urging lawmakers to act before vulnerable people are put at risk.
AI Companions Promise Comfort but Carry Hidden Dangers
AI-powered chatbots are increasingly being marketed as emotional companions, offering conversation and comfort at any time of day. Some users even report feeling happier after using them. Yet Merrill warns that behind the promise lies a troubling reality. Privacy breaches, overdependence, and blurred lines between human and machine relationships are just a few of the potential dangers.
States Take Action While Ohio Lags Behind
Several states have already taken steps to regulate AI in the field of mental health. Illinois bars companies from marketing AI as therapy without licensed oversight. Nevada prevents chatbots from presenting themselves as qualified providers. Utah now requires bots to openly identify themselves as nonhuman and protect user data. Ohio, however, has no such guardrails in place, leaving residents exposed to unchecked experimentation.
Why Safeguards Matter Now
Merrill, who has dedicated more than five years to researching how digital tools influence well-being, believes the stakes are too high to ignore. He argues that AI literacy must be taught so people understand the limits of these systems. He also calls for companies to build protective features such as reminders that encourage breaks and prompts directing users toward licensed professionals.
The Push for Temporary Bans
Until more research is done, Merrill supports pausing AI-based therapy services. He stresses that AI should assist, not replace, human therapists who are already stretched thin. “This is about protecting people over profit,” he emphasizes, underscoring the urgent need for policymakers to act.