Colorado Law Mandating Therapists' Real-Time Intervention During Client-AI Psychotherapy Sets Dubious Precedent

Colorado has enacted a new law requiring therapists who use AI in psychotherapy to be actively logged into the AI system in real-time, ready to intervene instantly. While intended as a safeguard, the law faces criticism for creating a significant time burden on therapists, potentially discouraging AI adoption in the profession, and ironically pushing clients toward unmonitored AI use. The analysis highlights that policymakers may not have fully considered the adverse consequences, including reimbursement issues and the risk of stagnating therapeutic innovation. The law is presented as an example of AI legislation being drafted without sufficient due diligence.