KQED's Forum Kaiser Therapists Battle to Fend Off Artificial Intelligence
Dec 17, 2025
April Dembosky, a health correspondent, discusses the contentious role of AI in mental health care with bioethics expert Jodi Halpern. They delve into Kaiser's refusal to guarantee that AI won't replace human therapists, raising concerns about job security. The conversation examines current uses of AI, from digital scribes to chatbots, and the ethical implications of empathy in AI therapies. Halpern warns of the potential emotional risks while advocating for regulations to ensure safety and efficacy in integrating AI into therapeutic settings.
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Two Main Roles For AI In Mental Health
- AI is already used in two main ways in mental health: administrative 'digital scribes' and therapeutic chatbots.
- Clinical AI chatbots are mostly adjuncts now and require human oversight, but evolution is rapid.
Union Bargaining Over AI Replacement
- Northern California Kaiser therapists sought contract language to bar AI from replacing humans after Southern California secured that clause.
- Kaiser declined to accept the same language in new negotiations, creating a bargaining conflict.
Access Pressure Drives AI Adoption
- The therapist shortage and long wait times make AI attractive to systems like Kaiser to expand access.
- Kaiser argues AI could free clinicians' 2–3 hours of note work to see more patients and improve access.