Members of Congress raised continued concerns this week about the rapid rise of AI chatbots and their growing role in mental health support, pressing psychiatrists and privacy experts on how to protect users as the technology evolves far faster than regulation.

During a House subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing, lawmakers said they were aiming for a balanced conversation about both the benefits and the risks of AI tools. But much of the testimony focused on where the technology can fall short, particularly when vulnerable users rely on chatbots in moments of emotional distress.

Psychiatrists told the committee that AI chatbots are increasingly being used as a first stop for mental health support. Dr. Marlynn Wei, a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, testified that an esti

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