This comparison draws in part from “Pause Before Proceeding: Ethical Considerations Around the Clinical Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)” by Rebecca Womack, MS, BCBA, LBA (BehaviorLive), and extends it with peer-reviewed research from our library of 27,900+ ABA research articles. The decision framework, BACB ethics code references, and cross-links below are synthesized by Behaviorist Book Club.
View the original presentation →As AI and ML tools become available for behavior analytic practice, practitioners face a choice about their adoption strategy. Immediate adoption prioritizes capturing efficiency gains and staying current with technological trends. A pause-and-evaluate approach prioritizes thorough ethical analysis before any tool is implemented in clinical practice. Neither approach is inherently right or wrong, but they carry different risk profiles and different implications for client welfare, professional development, and ethical compliance. This comparison helps practitioners think through the trade-offs explicitly rather than defaulting to either enthusiasm or resistance.
| Factor | Evidence-Based Approach | Traditional Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Speed of technology integration | Immediate adoption captures efficiency gains quickly and positions the practice as technologically current | Pause-and-evaluate delays efficiency gains but ensures ethical and clinical risks are addressed first |
| Risk of harm to clients | Higher risk if tools contain biases, inaccuracies, or privacy vulnerabilities that were not identified pre-adoption | Lower risk because potential harms are identified and mitigated through structured evaluation before implementation |
| Practitioner competence | May outpace practitioner understanding of how the tools work and what their limitations are | Allows time for practitioners to develop AI literacy before depending on AI outputs for clinical decisions |
| Informed consent quality | Consent processes may lag behind technology implementation, leaving families uninformed | Consent processes are updated proactively as part of the evaluation before any client data enters an AI system |
| Clinical judgment preservation | Risk of premature dependency on AI if independent clinical skills are not deliberately maintained | Independent clinical skills are maintained as a prerequisite for evaluating and overriding AI outputs |
| Organizational reputation | May be perceived as innovative but risks reputational damage if AI-related incidents occur | May be perceived as cautious but builds reputation for responsible, ethical technology use |
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Use this framework when approaching pause before proceeding: ethical considerations around the clinical use of artificial intelligence (ai) and machine learning (ml) in your practice:
Does the data support a need for intervention? Is there a meaningful impact on the individual's quality of life, safety, or access to reinforcement?
YES → Proceed to assessment NO → Document reasoning, monitor
A functional assessment should guide intervention selection. Avoid defaulting to standard protocols without individual analysis. Consider environmental variables, setting events, and private events.
YES → Select evidence-based approach matched to function NO → Complete assessment first
Goals should be co-developed. Assent and informed consent are ethical requirements. The individual's preferences and values matter in selecting both goals and methods.
YES → Proceed with collaborative plan NO → Engage in shared decision-making
This course covers the clinical and ethical dimensions in detail with structured learning objectives and CEU credit.
Pause Before Proceeding: Ethical Considerations Around the Clinical Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) — Rebecca Womack · 1 BACB Ethics CEUs · $20
Take This Course →We extended this decision guide with research from our library — dig into the peer-reviewed studies behind each approach, in plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
279 research articles with practitioner takeaways
252 research articles with practitioner takeaways
239 research articles with practitioner takeaways
1 BACB Ethics CEUs · $20 · BehaviorLive
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All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.