The Utah Department of Commerce’s Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy (OAIP) has issued its first set of official guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence in mental health care. Developed through a collaborative study with the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), these recommendations emphasize secure and ethical AI practices for mental health professionals.
The guidelines encourage securing informed consent from patients, maintaining high data privacy standards, and customizing AI applications to match individual patient needs and digital literacy levels. Additionally, they suggest that therapists should monitor AI outputs regularly and have contingency plans in place to address potential AI failures or inaccuracies.
“This is about using AI to enhance—not replace—human care,” stated Margaret Woolley Busse, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce. “Done right, AI can expand access and improve outcomes in mental health treatment. But the stakes are high, so we need clear guardrails.”
The OAIP, established during Utah’s 2024 legislative session, functions as a regulatory sandbox for AI innovation, facilitating collaborations with startups, academic institutions, and industry associations to test AI applications across sectors. A key product from this effort is House Bill 452, the Artificial Intelligence Amendments, which provides a legal framework and consumer protections for AI deployment in mental health.
Mark Steinagel, Director of DOPL, highlighted that many therapists are already utilizing AI tools and stressed the importance of responsible deployment. Zach Boyd, the director of OAIP, emphasized that the guidelines aim to balance innovation with patient safety.
The recommendations also call for educational institutions to adopt similar principles, resisting overreliance on AI for student assessments while prioritizing learner needs.
Although tailored for Utah, these guidelines could serve as a model for broader national efforts in integrating AI into healthcare and other fields. Utah’s Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy continues to lead efforts in fostering innovation and establishing trust in AI technologies, positioning the state at the forefront of AI regulation and development.
