What's Happening

Legal

Is Banning Conversion Therapy a Free Speech Issue? SCOTUS Will Weigh In

What's going on: Yesterday, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a challenge to Colorado’s ban on exposing minors to “conversion therapy.” The practice, which leading medical groups oppose and call deeply harmful, aims to change an LGBTQIA+ patient’s sexual orientation or gender identity to fit cisgender, heterosexual norms. The American Psychological Association notes that the therapy not only doesn’t work but “puts individuals at a significant risk of harm.” Now, the Supreme Court will weigh in during its next term after Christian therapist Kaley Chiles brought forth the appeal. Chiles says the ban in Colorado violates her First Amendment rights, adding that it “interferes with my ability to serve my clients with integrity.”

What it means: More than 20 states have similar bans on conversion therapy, and the high court’s ruling could impact whether those stay in place. Chiles’s legal team says that the government shouldn’t control private conversations between counselors and clients or force therapists to promote a particular viewpoint. Colorado’s attorney general says that states have long-regulated medical practices to protect patients from harm. The Supreme Court has previously rejected challenges to such bans, most recently in December 2023.

Related: Study: Conversion Therapy Costs the US More Than $9 Billion per Year (NBC News)

Tech

Someone Can Steal Your Voice in Seconds With AI. Stopping It Isn't So Easy.

What's going on: Just how simple is it to clone someone’s voice? According to a Consumer Reports investigation, AI voice cloning technology can make it quite easy. The analysis found that AI voice cloning tools — many of which are free — have no real safeguards. Some require nothing more than a checkbox to confirm consent, allowing anyone to impersonate a boss, a celebrity, or a loved one. The tech isn’t all bad — it helps people with disabilities and makes translating languages a breeze. But there’s also not much to stop fraudsters from using voice cloning tools to impersonate musicians (like Céline Dion), trick seniors into giving away their money, or even pretend to be the president.

What it means: In 2023, scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from people over 60, with the FBI warning that AI was making scams more convincing. Now, the tools are even better — and the regulations are looser. The Biden administration introduced AI safety rules in 2023, but Trump revoked them. One cloning service did offer a somewhat effective safeguard — requiring the person to record a specific consent statement (akin to second-factor authentication for your Slack). Until legislators step in, the only thing standing between consumers and total voice fraud is an honor system. Great, because scammers are famously trustworthy.

Related: AI Might Be Making Life Easier — but Research Suggests It's Rewiring Our Thinking (CNET) 

Health

Is Functional Medicine Functioning?

What's going on: It’s no secret that Americans have long been frustrated with a health care system that treats symptoms, not causes — often leaving them with hefty bills. Enter: functional medicine. This root-cause approach focuses on preventative care, digs into a patient’s lifestyle, and often works alongside traditional medicine (think: blood tests and even surgery). Treatment plans can include everything from personalized nutrition and supplements to lifestyle changes like exercise and stress management. Functional medicine challenges the idea that health care should be “one size fits all” — and plenty of people are on board.

What it means: Functional medicine has been around since 1991, but its popularity has surged in recent years. (Although it can be a pricey option for patients, since most practitioners aren’t covered by insurance.) More medical professionals and institutions are embracing functional medicine, and even the White House has noticed thanks to MAHA. With the global health and wellness industry valued at $6.3 trillion, there is big money to be made for clinics or doctors offering functional medicine. One start-up even has celebrity backers like Zac Efron, Pedro Pascal, and Matt Damon. As with anything in health care, experts advise keeping an eye out for red flags, such as claims that a random root supplement can cure cancer.

Related: These Health and Wellness Companies Are Hoping To Cash In Thanks to MAHA (Axios)