A strike by therapists spotlights a growing concern: AI replacing human providers

NPR | By Rhitu Chatterjee

Published March 19, 2026 at 4:03 PM EDT

This week, more than 2,000 mental health care workers at Kaiser Permanente, in northern California went on a 24-hour-strike. A major reason is disagreement between Kaiser and therapists over the future role of AI in mental health care.

Rhitu Chatterjee

Rhitu Chatterjee is a health correspondent with NPR, with a focus on mental health. In addition to writing about the latest developments in psychology and psychiatry, she reports on the prevalence of different mental illnesses and new developments in treatments.

See stories by Rhitu Chatterjee

SUSTAIN what matters. BUILD what’s next.

With federal funding eliminated, WKAR relies more than ever on community support to sustain essential services that remain freely available to everyone in mid-Michigan. Your support helps shape what comes next for public media in our region. The best way to support WKAR is by becoming a sustaining member today or by upgrading your current gift. Support WKAR TV Here | Support WKAR Radio Here.