Illinois has become the first U.S. state to ban the use of artificial intelligence tools, such as ChatGPT, for providing therapy. Governor JB Pritzker signed a law that prohibits AI from acting as a therapist, aiming to keep mental health care under human control rather than algorithms. The legislation includes provisions for fines and limits on AI use in mental health services. This move comes amid debates about whether the ban prioritizes patient safety or protects human jobs from AI advancement. Critics argue that the ban could hinder the adoption of labor-saving technology, especially as Illinois faces financial challenges like underfunded pension liabilities. Some experts note that certain AI applications, such as those approved in the UK for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), have demonstrated superior diagnostic capabilities compared to humans. The law also coincides with Illinois mandating yearly mental health screenings in schools. The state's decision contrasts with regulatory approaches in other regions, such as the European Union's risk-based AI Act, which seeks to harmonize AI regulation while balancing innovation concerns.