Utah’s latest health tech innovation has sparked debate: an AI chatbot now allowed to renew psychiatric drug prescriptions. The pilot program, set to launch in April, aims to streamline care but faces critics who warn of risks and lack of transparency.

The one-year trial by Utah-based Legion Health will see its AI chatbot renew 15 lower-risk medications for stable patients, though it excludes complex cases like antipsychotics. Patients must opt-in, prove they have a prescription, and answer detailed questions about their symptoms and side effects.

Supporters argue it could alleviate care shortages in Utah, where 500,000 residents lack access to mental health services. But sceptics question if such automation really expands care or just shifts responsibilities. They warn of the potential for over-treatment and the dangers of relying on AI to manage complex conditions.

The pilot program is deliberately narrow in scope but leaves many more complex psychiatric cases outside its remit. Critics suggest a greater emphasis on transparency, rigorous testing, and more scientific validation before such systems are widely implemented.