Kaiser Therapists Battle to Fend Off Artificial Intelligence

KQED's Forum

KQED

News, Politics, News Commentary

4.2 • 726 Ratings

🗓️ 17 December 2025

⏱️ 54 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In recent contract negotiations, Kaiser Permanente therapists asked for language to specify that artificial intelligence would not “replace” humans in mental health care, but the employer has so far refused. Kaiser already uses AI technology in mental health care to take notes and create summaries, but Kaiser therapists worry further use of the technology could usurp their jobs. We talk about the ways AI may be entering our mental health care system and how it could affect therapists and their patients. Guests: April Dembosky, health correspondent, KQED News Jodi Halpern, professor of bioethics and chancellor's chair, University of California, Berkeley Vanessa Coe, secretary–treasurer, National Union of Healthcare Workers Anna Benassi, therapist, associate professor and executive director of clinics, California Institute of Integral Studies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Support for KQED podcasts comes from Earth Justice. As the largest environmental law organization in the country,
0:08.4	Earth Justice has more than 200 full-time lawyers who fight for a healthy environment. They wield the power of the law to protect public lands,
0:17.7	defend your right to clean air and water and combat climate change.
0:22.3	Earth Justice fights in court because the Earth needs a good lawyer.
0:26.3	Learn more about how you can get involved and become a supporter at earthjustice.org.
0:32.7	Based on the worldwide bestselling novel.
0:35.2	Why do you want this job? I really enjoy being a housemaid.
0:38.0	This Christmas.
0:39.1	Would you like the Grand Torah?
0:40.4	See what you're getting yourself into?
0:42.0	Discover what lies.
0:43.5	You're like, no!
0:44.7	I don't know what's been going on with her lately.
0:46.3	Behind closed doors.
0:47.8	I need this job.
0:48.6	I do not want to go back.
0:50.1	Sydney Sweetie.
0:51.0	You'd lie it about everything.
0:52.5	Amanda Seifred. What kind of monsters are we?
0:56.4	I want you to feel safe here.
0:58.4	The House Maid.
0:59.3	In Cinema's Everywhere, Boxing Day.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from KQED, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of KQED and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.