{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1770011,
        "msgid": "study-reveals-ai-mental-health-chatbots-breach-ethical-codes-1780024279",
        "date": "2026-05-28 14:43:59",
        "title": "Study reveals AI mental health chatbots breach ethical codes",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_ID",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Regulation",
        "summary": "A Brown University study has found AI chatbots used in mental health therapy frequently violate ethical standards set by the American Psychological Association, with issues ranging from misleading empathy to poor crisis management. Despite the growing market for AI mental health services, projected to reach $9.12 billion by 2033, experts stress the urgent need for robust regulations to mitigate risks to users.",
        "content": "<p>JAKARTA (ANTARA) - A study from Brown University has revealed AI\nchatbots used for mental health therapy may breach professional\npsychology ethical codes. According to Psychology Today on Thursday, the\nresearch found large language models (LLMs) often fail to adhere to\nmental health ethical standards such as those set by the American\nPsychological Association (APA). Lead author Zainab Iftikhar stated\npsychotherapy cannot be treated as a simple computational task,\nrequiring strict adherence to ethical standards and professional conduct\ncodes. The 18-month study involved seven trained peer counsellors and\nthree licensed clinical psychologists evaluating AI chatbot behaviour in\ncounselling sessions. From 137 sessions analysed, researchers identified\n15 ethical violations grouped into five categories: inadequate context\nunderstanding, poor therapeutic collaboration, misleading empathy,\nunfair discrimination, and weak crisis and security handling.\nResearchers noted AI chatbots often oversimplify users\u2019 life\nexperiences, dominate therapy conversations, and display manipulative\nempathy. AI also struggles to handle sensitive issues such as trauma,\nviolence, and suicidal ideation. The study emerges as AI use in mental\nhealth services grows globally. Another study published in AI &amp;\nSociety journal in February 2026 shows increasing public openness to\nusing AI as mental health advisors. The AI mental health industry is\nexpected to expand rapidly, with research firm Grand View Research\nestimating the market to reach $9.12 billion by 2033. While offering\naccessible real-time support, researchers warn that using AI as\ntherapists poses serious risks without proper regulation. They urge\nclearer legal guidelines to minimise potential dangers for users of\nAI-based therapy services.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/study-reveals-ai-mental-health-chatbots-breach-ethical-codes-1780024279",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}