Global Leaders Have Pursued AI Job Restrictions
New laws in Illinois and Colorado mandate human oversight for artificial intelligence in professional sectors.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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Legislators and public figures have begun defining boundaries for AI in the workforce, specifically aiming to protect roles involving human interaction. Global and state authorities have enacted measures to ensure that critical decisions remain under human control.
Why it matters
The push to reserve specific roles for humans aims to preserve essential elements of socially valuable work that machines cannot replicate. These regulations reflect a broader effort to prevent AI from replacing human judgment in sensitive areas like mental health.
Proposed frameworks suggest up to 40 percent of job roles could be reserved for human workers. Current laws specifically allow AI for scheduling or record-keeping while mandating licensed professionals for direct clinical therapy and treatment planning.
The players
Bill Gates
He is a prominent technologist and philanthropist who has proposed reserving specific job roles for human workers.
European Commission
This is the executive branch of the European Union responsible for proposing legislation and implementing decisions.
European Parliament
It is the legislative body of the European Union that represents citizens and oversees policy development.
The details
Recent legislation in Illinois and Colorado requires human review for AI-generated treatment plans and prohibits AI from making standalone mental health decisions. Meanwhile, the European Commission is debating the Quality Jobs Act to ensure that workplace decisions receive final human approval.
Timeline
Illinois enacted its law regarding AI and mental health in 2025.
The European Commission began deliberations on the Quality Jobs Act in July 2026.
Colorado passed its law regarding AI-generated treatment plans in 2026.
The Tech Race
This legislative shift represents a departure from the rapid, unrestricted deployment of AI tools by introducing mandatory human-in-the-loop requirements. It follows the pattern set by the European Commission's Quality Jobs Act, which prioritizes human oversight in the digital workplace.
These regulations ensure that patients receiving mental health treatment are guaranteed human oversight rather than relying solely on automated systems. Employees can expect clearer boundaries regarding which workplace tasks require human approval, potentially altering how daily professional duties are managed.
The takeaway
As AI capabilities grow, legislative efforts are increasingly focused on maintaining human accountability in critical services. Readers should watch for how these regional mandates evolve into broader standards for human-AI collaboration in the workplace.
Further reading
For more context on how regulations are shaping software development, visit the Artificial Intelligence section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 조선일보.
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