Grassroots Action Center
What Counselors Need to Know and Do Now
The recently introduced H.R. 3210, the Artificial Intelligence Literacy and Inclusion Act, presents significant opportunities and considerations for our profession. This legislation aims to increase AI literacy nationwide by providing grants to educational institutions and updating the Digital Equity Act to include AI training.
The legislation aims to:
- equip Americans with fundamental AI knowledge and skills.
- bridge access disparities by funding schools, colleges, libraries, and nonprofits.
- prepare the workforce for AI-driven workplace transformations.
- improve public digital safety and consumer protection.
This bipartisan effort recognizes AI literacy as essential for economic opportunity, addressing the growing technology skills gap across diverse populations and geographic regions.
Why This Matters
As AI increasingly influences mental health practice, this bill could shape how we integrate these technologies ethically and effectively. The grants proposed could fund training programs for counselors to develop AI competencies while maintaining our essential human connection with clients.
Policy Recommendations for Counselor Advocacy:
- Privacy and Data Security: Advocate for amendments that specifically address mental health data protection. Push for provisions requiring encryption and anonymization standards for sensitive client information used in AI systems.
- Bias Mitigation Requirements: Urge lawmakers to include language mandating fairness audits for AI systems used in mental health settings and requiring diverse representation in training datasets to prevent discriminatory outcomes.
- Human Oversight Guarantees: Emphasize the need for regulations ensuring AI remains a supportive tool rather than a replacement for professional judgment in diagnosis and treatment planning.
- Professional Training Standards: Request dedicated funding for specialized training programs that teach counselors to effectively and ethically integrate AI tools into practice.
How You Can Take Action Now:
- Contact your representatives to express support for H.R. 3210 with these crucial amendments.
- Share your clinical expertise and concerns regarding AI implementation in mental health settings.
- Join our upcoming webinar on May 29, 2025, to learn more about advocacy opportunities.
The future of our profession increasingly intersects with AI advancements. By engaging with this legislation now, we can help shape policies that protect our clients while embracing beneficial innovations.
