Mental health experts issue warning over AI 'therapy'

Vulnerable people need 'genuine human connection' as experts warned that an AI therapist 'does not have the legal or ethical obligation to alert others of risk, nor does it have the ability to do so'. 

People struggling with self-harm or paranoia may see their fears worsen if they turn to AI therapists, mental health experts have warned as they called for a ban on such tools.

A small but growing number of tragedies worldwide have been linked to the use of AI chatbots. In the first case of its kind in the US last year, bereaved parents sued OpenAI over alleged interactions their son had with ChatGPT.