We're kicking off this post with a truly unique perspective, one that originally appeared in the latest newsletter from the Society of Digital Psychiatry (SODP). This thought-provoking piece, authored by SODP Executive Director and JMIR Mental Health Editor-in-Chief John Torous, offers a refreshingly grounded benchmark for evaluating the current state of artificial intelligence, particularly as it relates to healthcare and mental health technology.
The "Taco Bell Test for AI" is an indispensable concept for anyone tracking the development and safe deployment of AI in complex fields. We encourage you to delve deeper into these critical conversations by exploring the Society of Digital Psychiatry. Become a member of SODP, and you can stay informed on the latest developments in the field and learn more about innovation in digital mental healthcare.
Taco Bell is a popular fast-food restaurant, and not where healthcare leaders go for lessons about AI. But perhaps if they did, they may also have heard of the Taco Bell Test for AI.
Over the last year, Taco Bell rolled out AI into its drive-thrus. The reasons made sense with the potential for more efficient ordering and the need for fewer staff. But that is not what happened. One customer ended up ordering 18,000 cups of water, another ended up in an infinite loop when ordering a soda, and yet another was able to place an order for McDonald’s despite this being Taco Bell.
Needless to say, Taco Bell has pulled back on its AI efforts for now and noted that even for drive-thrus, there is still a role for humans. “Sometimes it lets me down, but sometimes it really surprises me,” Taco Bell Chief Digital and Technology Officer Dane Mathews told The Wall Street Journal in September 2025.
Returning to digital mental health, imagine what Dane Mathews would say if he were told about plans to use AI in therapy. He would likely caution that, until it works well at Taco Bell, it is unlikely to succeed at the much more complex task of therapy. And therein lies the Taco Bell Test for AI. If it cannot yet take your order, it is likely not taking your medical information, let alone offering you medical advice. While AI will surely improve, if it causes harm in the drive-thru, it will likely cause harm if acting as a therapist. Perhaps that is why, as of today, not a single AI chatbot claims to offer actual, clinical therapy. When Taco Bell feels AI is good to go and you can order your taco that way, then perhaps it is time to come back and reevaluate AI therapists.
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