Kaiser Permanente AI contract dispute sparks San Francisco hearing

Mental‑health therapists and nurses employed by Kaiser Permanente in Northern California are contesting contract language that would permit expanded use of artificial‑intelligence tools. The staff say the proposed terms risk replacing human care, prompting a one‑day strike in March and a hearing before San Francisco City Hall supervisors. At the hearing, workers highlighted concerns such as AI‑driven patient screening and the potential for layoffs, with therapist Tianna Lui stating, "As therapists, we are trained to read things like body language, non‑verbal cues." Supervisors criticized Kaiser for not sending representatives, calling the absence "extremely disrespectful." Kaiser responded that it has invested more than $2 billion since 2020 to expand mental‑health services and denies using AI to diagnose patients, describing its e‑visit tool as a supplement developed with clinician input.