Illinois has become the first U.S. state to ban the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in therapy, following the signing of new legislation by Governor JB Pritzker. The law prohibits AI from providing mental health services, aiming to keep therapy within human practitioners rather than algorithms. This move has sparked debate about whether the ban is motivated by safety concerns or by efforts to protect human jobs from AI advancement. Critics argue that some AI technologies, such as those approved in the UK for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), already demonstrate superior diagnostic capabilities and therapeutic potential compared to humans. The ban comes amid broader discussions on regulating AI applications across industries. Separately, Governor Pritzker is expected to sign legislation requiring more thorough background checks for police officers, inspired by the shooting death of Sonya Massey.