Artificial intelligence is becoming more common in mental healthcare, helping providers streamline workflows and expand access to care. However, adoption of AI tools is moving faster than regulation, raising concerns about safety, effectiveness and privacy, according to a June 22 analysis from the Pew Charitable Trusts.
Here are five things to know from the analysis:
- AI is gaining traction in clinical settings. Healthcare organizations are using AI tools to support early diagnosis of mental health conditions, predict suicide risk and assist with administrative functions such as referrals, registration and billing.
- Documentation tools are proliferating. More than 60 AI products are available to transcribe provider-patient interactions into structured clinical notes, with clinician adoption outpacing that of most recent health technologies.
- Chatbot use is raising safety concerns. Patients increasingly use generative AI chatbots for mental health support, therapy and companionship. One company estimates about 1.2 million users per week express suicidal thoughts on its platform. ECRI named misuse of AI chatbots the leading health technology hazard for 2026, warning the tools can generate responses that sound authoritative but may be inaccurate or harmful.
- Researchers have identified risks. A 2025 study found inconsistencies in chatbot responses to suicide-related questions, while other research raised concerns about transparency and accountability in how consumer data is collected and used.
- Regulation remains fragmented. Federal agencies have not issued comprehensive rules governing AI in mental healthcare. States including Tennessee, Nevada, Illinois and New York have enacted policies addressing issues such as clinician oversight, chatbot disclosures, suicide prevention protocols and restrictions on AI systems presenting themselves as mental health professionals.
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